Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Tyler than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tyler gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #15 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 151 claims here since 1979.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Tyler’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Tyler faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Tyler’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tyler, and Tyler’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
A+ #15 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tyler’s residents live in 35 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Tyler has less expected damage per building than 98% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Tyler has lower expected damage per building than 98% (#7 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $20.5M, is the 387th largest of those 400.
Does Tyler flood? Yes: 151 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tyler, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms11 claims · $482K
- Tropical Storm Claudette6 claims · $24K
- Hurricane Allen1 claim · $30K
Tyler isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Smith County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tyler
Disasters that paid out in Tyler itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tyler), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding5,651 households applied for aid$9.0M aid approved$616K to the City of Tyler for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms2,630 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$125K to the City of Tyler for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding36 households applied for aid$64K aid approved11 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$1.4M to the City of Tyler for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding44 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2011Wildfires6 households applied for aid$47K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 12
- 2008Hurricane Ike103 households applied for aid$27K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding388 households applied for aid$279K aid approved$126K to the City of Tyler for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita1 households applied for aid$133K to the City of Tyler for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$7K to the City of Tyler for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$124K to the City of Tyler for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$300K to the City of Tyler for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
Smith County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Smith County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Tyler after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tyler archive →Get ready for what Tyler faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Tyler
Is Tyler at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tyler has lower expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #15 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tyler flood?
Flood insurance has paid 151 claims in Tyler since 1979, $3.1M in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 20 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (11).
Is Tyler in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Smith County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tyler?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tyler’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Tyler?
By FEMA money that reached Tyler, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 5,651 households applied for aid, $9.0M approved, and $616K to the City of Tyler for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 11 paid, $482K.
Is Tyler at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Tyler’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tyler.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tyler’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.