Photo: Billy Hathorn at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Vernon than in 68% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vernon gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #184 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%), then tornadoes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1995.
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 Vernon 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
Strong wind
Hail
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 Vernon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 40% of the building damage FEMA expects in Vernon, and Vernon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 24%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #184 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Vernon’s residents live in 3 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, Vernon has less expected damage per building than 71% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Vernon: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Vernon flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Vernon, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Vernon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wilbarger County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Vernon
Disasters that paid out in Vernon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Vernon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$37K to the City of Vernon for repairs
Wilbarger County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter 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 Wilbarger County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Vernon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Vernon archive →Get ready for what Vernon 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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 Vernon
Is Vernon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Vernon has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #184 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%) and tornadoes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Vernon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Vernon since 1995, $108K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Vernon 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 Wilbarger County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Vernon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Vernon’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 Vernon?
By FEMA money that reached Vernon, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2007): $37K to the City of Vernon for repairs.
Is Vernon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (40%), and Vernon’s rate for it is lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Vernon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Vernon’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.