Less hazard damage per building is expected in Whitesboro than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Whitesboro gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #51 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then hail (10%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Whitesboro’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Whitesboro 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 Whitesboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Whitesboro, and Whitesboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 5%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
A #51 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Whitesboro’s residents live in 2 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, Whitesboro has less expected damage per building than 92% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Whitesboro: $560K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Whitesboro flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Whitesboro. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Whitesboro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grayson County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Whitesboro
Disasters that paid out in Whitesboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Whitesboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms50 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding40 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding37 households applied for aid$55K aid approved
- 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat14 households applied for aid$76K aid approved
Grayson County has had 15 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 Whitesboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Whitesboro archive →Get ready for what Whitesboro 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 Whitesboro
Is Whitesboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Whitesboro has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #51 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and hail (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Whitesboro 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 Grayson County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Whitesboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Whitesboro’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 Whitesboro?
By FEMA money that reached Whitesboro, Extreme Wildfire Threat (2005): 14 households applied for aid, $76K approved.
Is Whitesboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Whitesboro’s rate for it is lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Whitesboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Whitesboro’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.