Photo: Rivers Langley; SaveRivers · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Pine Mountain faces less hazard damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pine Mountain gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%), then tornadoes (10%). 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 Pine Mountain 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 Pine Mountain’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pine Mountain, and Pine Mountain’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pine Mountain’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $413K a year in losses across Pine Mountain: $307K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pine Mountain flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Pine Mountain. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Pine Mountain isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Harris County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pine Mountain
Disasters that paid out in Pine Mountain itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Pine Mountain), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Harris County has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Pine Mountain after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pine Mountain archive →Get ready for what Pine Mountain 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 Pine Mountain
Is Pine Mountain at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pine Mountain has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Pine Mountain 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 Harris County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pine Mountain?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pine Mountain’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 Pine Mountain?
By FEMA money that reached Pine Mountain, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding (2011): 4 households applied for aid, $2K approved.
Is Pine Mountain at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Pine Mountain’s rate for it is higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pine Mountain.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pine Mountain’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.