Richland Hills, Texas Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
Richland Hills faces flooding from Big Fossil Creek in Tarrant County. Heavy rainfall events cause creek overflows that threaten residential areas in this small mid-cities community.
Tarrant County has recorded 3,555 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $61.1M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 6
NFIP Policies
6,592
Tarrant County
Avg. Premium
$823/yr
Tarrant County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Tarrant County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $258.1M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively LowEst. annual loss: $728K
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Tarrant County
Tarrant County has been included in 11 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 3 earlier declarations since 1966.
These declarations affected communities across Tarrant County, including Richland Hills.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Tarrant County
Properties in Tarrant County have filed 3,555 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $61.1M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $17K.
Highest-Claim Years
1989
433 claims - $6.6M
1990
345 claims - $5.9M
2004
262 claims - $7.5M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Richland Hills
Richland Hills faces multiple inland flood threats, including riverine flooding from nearby waterways and flash flooding from intense rainfall overwhelming urban drainage systems. Properties near river corridors face the highest risk, but stormwater backup can affect neighborhoods well outside the mapped floodplain. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Richland Hills are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $258.1M.
With both riverine and urban stormwater flood risk, insurance costs in Richland Hills depend heavily on a property's elevation relative to nearby waterways and the local drainage infrastructure. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 prices in multiple inland flood sources rather than relying on the flood zone line alone. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Flood zone boundaries in Richland Hills can shift when FEMA updates its Flood Insurance Studies or when upstream development changes how water moves through the watershed. New stormwater infrastructure or dam modifications can also trigger map revisions. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Richland Hills address.
Flood Insurance Discount: Richland Hills
Richland Hills participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 7
SFHA Premium Discount
15% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Richland Hills's Class 7 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Richland Hills, TX Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Richland Hills, TX?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Richland Hills are Zone AE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Richland Hills?
If your Richland Hills property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Richland Hills?
Enter your Richland Hills address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
Does Richland Hills offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Richland Hills participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 7 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 15% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Richland Hills experienced major flooding events?
Tarrant County, where Richland Hills is located, has been part of 11 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Tropical Storms Marco and Laura in 2020. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Richland Hills?
Tarrant County has recorded 3,555 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $61.1M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 1989, with 433 claims and $6.6M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Richland Hills.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Richland Hills?
Tarrant County currently has 6,592 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $823. The most policies are in Zone AE (3,114 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
Can my Richland Hills property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Richland Hills?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Richland Hills's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
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Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.