Photo: Cohee · CC BY 3.0For tornadoes, Houston’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Houston gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #5 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%), then earthquakes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1994.
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 Houston’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Houston 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
Earthquakes
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 Houston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Houston, and Houston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 23%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B #5 of 101 in Mississippi; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Houston’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Mississippi town has higher expected damage than 64% of U.S. towns; within the state, Houston has less expected damage per building than 96% of Mississippi towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.2M a year in losses across Houston: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Houston flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Houston, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Houston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chickasaw County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Houston
Disasters that paid out in Houston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Houston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$5K to the City of Houston for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$6K to the City of Houston for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding186 households applied for aid$365K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$24K to the City of Houston for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes and High Winds31 households applied for aid$139K aid approved
Chickasaw County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Houston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Houston archive →Get ready for what Houston 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Houston
Is Houston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Houston has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #5 of 101 in Mississippi. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%) and earthquakes (25%). 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 Houston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Houston since 1994, $8K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Houston 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 Chickasaw County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Houston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Houston’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 Houston?
By FEMA money that reached Houston, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding (2011): 186 households applied for aid, $365K approved.
Is Houston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Houston’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Houston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Houston’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.