Photo: Smarty9108 · CC BY-SA 4.0Watauga’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Watauga gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #405 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then hail (24%). Flood insurance has paid 68 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 Watauga’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Watauga 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 Watauga’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Watauga, and Watauga’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 24%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #405 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Watauga’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, Watauga has more expected damage per building than 63% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.0M a year in losses across Watauga: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Watauga flood? Sometimes: 68 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Watauga, from FEMA’s records: 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms3 claims · $54K
Watauga isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tarrant County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Watauga
Disasters that paid out in Watauga itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Watauga), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms109 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding40 households applied for aid$78K aid approved$3K to the City of Watauga for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Tarrant County has had 21 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 Tarrant County, 2005–2005.
Old photos of Watauga after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Watauga archive →Watauga and its neighbors
Watauga is 4th of the 5 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Worth | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 482 |
| Keller | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 46 |
| North Richland Hills | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 88 |
| Watauga | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 68 |
| Haltom City | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 89 |
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 Watauga 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 Watauga
Is Watauga at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Watauga has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #405 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and hail (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Watauga flood?
Flood insurance has paid 68 claims in Watauga since 1981, $534K in all, or 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (3).
Is Watauga 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 Tarrant County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Watauga?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Watauga’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 Watauga?
By FEMA money that reached Watauga, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2007): 40 households applied for aid, $78K approved, and $3K to the City of Watauga for repairs. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 3 paid, $54K.
Is Watauga at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Watauga’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Watauga.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Watauga’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.