For tornadoes, Whitney’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Whitney gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 Whitney 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
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 Whitney’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Whitney, and Whitney’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 18%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Whitney’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Whitney: $529K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Whitney flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Whitney, from FEMA’s records: 11.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Whitney isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hill County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Whitney
Disasters that paid out in Whitney itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Whitney), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms116 households applied for aid$92K aid approved
- 2011Wildfires16 households applied for aid$196K aid approved
Hill County has had 19 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Hill County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Whitney after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Whitney archive →Get ready for what Whitney 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.
- 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 Whitney
Is Whitney at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Whitney has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Whitney flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Whitney since 1995, $77K in all, or 11.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Whitney 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 Hill County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Whitney?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Whitney’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 Whitney?
By FEMA money that reached Whitney, Wildfires (2011): 16 households applied for aid, $196K approved.
Is Whitney at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Whitney’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Whitney.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Whitney’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.