Marcus DeWitt Carlock House · Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Winnsboro than in 84% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winnsboro gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #78 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then ice storms (17%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1980.
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 Winnsboro 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
Ice storms
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 Winnsboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Winnsboro, and Winnsboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 17%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #78 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Winnsboro’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, Winnsboro has less expected damage per building than 88% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Winnsboro: $720K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Winnsboro flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Winnsboro, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Winnsboro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wood County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Winnsboro
Disasters that paid out in Winnsboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Winnsboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms44 households applied for aid$40K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$27K to the City of Winnsboro for repairs
Wood County has had 10 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 Wood County, 2006–2006.
Old photos of Winnsboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Winnsboro archive →Get ready for what Winnsboro 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Winnsboro
Is Winnsboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Winnsboro has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #78 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and ice storms (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Winnsboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Winnsboro since 1980, $26K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Winnsboro 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 Wood County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Winnsboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Winnsboro’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 Winnsboro?
By FEMA money that reached Winnsboro, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 44 households applied for aid, $40K approved.
Is Winnsboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Winnsboro’s rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Winnsboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Winnsboro’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.