Photo: Carol M. Highsmith · Public domainUniversity Park’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, University Park gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #302 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hail (26%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1981.
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 University Park’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What University Park 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
Hail
Tornadoes
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 University Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in University Park, and University Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 26%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #302 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
University Park’s residents live in 5 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, University Park has less expected damage per building than 53% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.5M a year in losses across University Park: $8.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does University Park flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in University Park, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Dallas Flash Floods2 claims · $85K
University Park isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dallas County.The storms University Park remembers
None of the 22 disasters declared for Dallas County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching University Park itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20063 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19952 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20162 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Dallas County has had 22 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.
Old photos of University Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the University Park archive →University Park and its neighbors
University Park has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Park | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Highland Park | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what University Park 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 University Park
Is University Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, University Park has lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #302 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hail (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does University Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in University Park since 1981, $389K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Dallas Flash Floods (2).
Is University Park 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 Dallas County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in University Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for University Park’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 University Park?
By flood claims, Dallas Flash Floods: 2 paid, $85K.
Is University Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and University Park’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in University Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where University Park’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.