More hazard damage per building is expected in Alvin than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alvin gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #526 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then hurricanes (36%). Flood insurance has paid 1,418 claims here since 1978.
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 Alvin’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Alvin 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
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 Alvin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Alvin, and Alvin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 36% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #526 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Alvin’s residents live in 17 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Alvin has more expected damage per building than 82% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.8M a year in losses across Alvin: $7.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Alvin flood? Yes: 1,418 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alvin, from FEMA’s records: 115.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Claudette589 claims · $7.4M
- Hurricane Harvey221 claims · $15.0M
- Hurricane Ike74 claims · $1.6M
Alvin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brazoria County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Alvin
Disasters that paid out in Alvin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Alvin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl7,265 households applied for aid$9.4M aid approved$1.4M to the City of Alvin for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms870 households applied for aid$620K aid approved$69K to the City of Alvin for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Harvey5,329 households applied for aid$14.5M aid approved$981K to the City of Alvin for repairs221 flood claims paid for it, $15.0M
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding36 households applied for aid$159K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike7,101 households applied for aid$5.4M aid approved$4.1M to the City of Alvin for repairs74 flood claims paid for it, $1.6M
Show all 11
- 2005Hurricane Rita1,990 households applied for aid$512K aid approved$124K to the City of Alvin for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$21K to the City of Alvin for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Claudette5 households applied for aid$14K aid approved589 flood claims paid for it, $7.4M
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding7 households applied for aid$25K aid approved29 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Tx-tropical Storm Allison-06-06-2001$3K to the City of Alvin for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
Brazoria County has had 28 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 Alvin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alvin archive →Alvin and its neighbors
Alvin is 2nd of the 7 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosharon | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Alvin | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 1,418 |
| Iowa Colony | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
| Hitchcock | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 1,273 |
| Pearland | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 3,078 |
| Manvel | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 366 |
| Friendswood | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 4,386 |
| Hillcrest Village | — | 760 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Alvin 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.
- 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 Alvin
Is Alvin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alvin has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #526 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and hurricanes (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Alvin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,418 claims in Alvin since 1978, $31.7M in all, or 115.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 133 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Claudette (589).
Is Alvin 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 Brazoria County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 22.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Alvin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Alvin’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 Alvin?
By FEMA money that reached Alvin, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 5,329 households applied for aid, $14.5M approved, and $981K to the City of Alvin for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Claudette: 589 paid, $7.4M.
Is Alvin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Alvin’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alvin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alvin’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.