Less hazard damage per building is expected in Van than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Van gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #48 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2016.
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 Van 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
Tornadoes
Hail
Strong wind
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 Van’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Van, and Van’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A #48 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Van’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Van has less expected damage per building than 93% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $787K a year in losses across Van: $382K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Van flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Van, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Van isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Van Zandt County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Van
Disasters that paid out in Van itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Van), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding77 households applied for aid$171K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms24 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding178 households applied for aid$640K aid approved$673K to the City of Van for repairs
Van Zandt County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Van after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Van archive →Get ready for what Van 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Van
Is Van at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Van has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #48 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and tornadoes (16%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Van flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Van since 2016, $500 in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Van 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 Van Zandt County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Van?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Van’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 Van?
By FEMA money that reached Van, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2015): 178 households applied for aid, $640K approved, and $673K to the City of Van for repairs.
Is Van at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Van’s rate for it is lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Van.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Van’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.