Photo: Zorin09 · CC BY 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Wolfforth than in 79% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wolfforth gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #545 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%), then hail (26%). 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 Wolfforth’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wolfforth 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
Strong wind
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 Wolfforth’s grade
River and rain flooding is 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wolfforth, and Wolfforth’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 26%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #545 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wolfforth’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, Wolfforth has more expected damage per building than 85% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Wolfforth: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wolfforth flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Wolfforth. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Wolfforth isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lubbock County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wolfforth
Disasters that paid out in Wolfforth itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wolfforth), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms21 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$11K to the City of Wolfforth for repairs
- 2010Hurricane Alex3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Lubbock County has had 15 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.
Old photos of Wolfforth after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wolfforth archive →Get ready for what Wolfforth 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Wolfforth
Is Wolfforth at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wolfforth has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #545 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%) and hail (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Wolfforth 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 Lubbock County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wolfforth?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wolfforth’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 Wolfforth?
By FEMA money that reached Wolfforth, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 21 households applied for aid, $14K approved.
Is Wolfforth at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Wolfforth’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wolfforth.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wolfforth’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.