FEMA puts Arcola’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arcola gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then hurricanes (32%). 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 Arcola 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 Arcola’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Arcola, and Arcola’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 32% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Arcola’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $725K a year in losses across Arcola: $466K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Arcola flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Arcola. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Arcola isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fort Bend County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Arcola
Disasters that paid out in Arcola itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Arcola), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl357 households applied for aid$498K aid approved$133K to the City of Arcola for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms29 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey158 households applied for aid$588K aid approved$929K to the City of Arcola for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Ike149 households applied for aid$157K aid approved$9K to the City of Arcola for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita16 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
Fort Bend County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Fort Bend County, 2006–2006.
Old photos of Arcola after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Arcola archive →Arcola and its neighbors
Arcola is 3rd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sienna | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Fresno | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Arcola | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Missouri City | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 558 |
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 Arcola 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 Arcola
Is Arcola at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Arcola has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and hurricanes (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Arcola 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 Fort Bend County, 42% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 15.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Arcola?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Arcola’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 Arcola?
By FEMA money that reached Arcola, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 158 households applied for aid, $588K approved, and $929K to the City of Arcola for repairs.
Is Arcola at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Arcola’s rate for it is higher than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Arcola.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Arcola’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.