FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Wellington than in 67% of U.S. towns, led by strong wind
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wellington gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is strong wind (28%), then river and rain flooding (27%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1993.
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 Wellington faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Strong wind
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Wildfire
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 Wellington’s grade
Strong wind is 28% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wellington, and Wellington’s rate of strong wind damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 14%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Wellington’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Wellington: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wellington flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wellington, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wellington isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Collingsworth County.The storms Wellington remembers
None of the 9 disasters declared for Collingsworth County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Wellington itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19931 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20231 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Collingsworth County has had 9 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.
Old photos of Wellington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wellington archive →Get ready for what Wellington faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Wellington
Is Wellington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wellington has higher expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is strong wind (28%) and river and rain flooding (27%). 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 Wellington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Wellington since 1993, $17K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Wellington 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 Collingsworth County, 1.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Wellington?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wellington’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Wellington at risk from strong wind?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (28%), and Wellington’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wellington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wellington’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.