Benbrook, TX: what USGS's seismic model says

USGS's ASCE 7-16 seismic design model - the same standard building codes use - places Benbrook in Seismic Design Category B: Low seismic hazard. Code requires basic seismic detailing (bracing, connections) but no special structural system restrictions. That puts Benbrook in the 23th percentile nationally for seismic hazard - higher than 23% of the 4,875 US cities USGS was checked against here.

How Benbrook compares

USGS's underlying values for Benbrook: 0.042g peak ground acceleration, 0.088g at short period, 0.05g at 1 second. Within Texas alone, Benbrook ranks 148 of 384 cities by seismic hazard - the 62th percentile in-state. Benbrook has a population of about 24,542.

Retrofit economics for Benbrook

A full earthquake retrofit typically runs $5,000-$10,000 nationally (around $7,000 typical), driven mainly by house size and foundation type, not by Texas specifically. California's Earthquake Brace + Bolt grant, which covers a large share of this cost, is a California-only program and does not apply in Texas.

Earthquake insurance for a Benbrook home

A Benbrook homeowner cannot buy a standalone earthquake policy in most cases - it is added to an existing homeowners policy as an endorsement, so the place to start is a regular home-insurance quote.

Where Benbrook's figures come from

Benbrook's Category B and every number above trace to USGS's own ASCE 7-16 Design Maps service - see the methodology guide. See the category explainer for what Category B does and doesn't tell you about Benbrook.