FEMA puts Wortham’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wortham gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1998.
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 Wortham 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
Hurricanes
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 Wortham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wortham, and Wortham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
A− lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Wortham’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $600K a year in losses across Wortham: $205K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wortham flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wortham, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wortham isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Freestone County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wortham
Disasters that paid out in Wortham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wortham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms38 households applied for aid$31K aid approved$4K to the Town of Wortham for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Freestone County has had 14 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.
Old photos of Wortham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wortham archive →Get ready for what Wortham 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Wortham
Is Wortham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wortham has lower expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (11%). 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 Wortham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Wortham since 1998, $69K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Wortham 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 Freestone County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Wortham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wortham’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 Wortham?
By FEMA money that reached Wortham, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 38 households applied for aid, $31K approved, and $4K to the Town of Wortham for repairs.
Is Wortham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Wortham’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wortham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wortham’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.