Photo: Mickwatson at English Wikipedia · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Atascocita than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Atascocita gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #524 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then hurricanes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 231 claims here since 1981.
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 Atascocita’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Atascocita 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 Atascocita’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Atascocita, and Atascocita’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 30% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #524 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Atascocita’s residents live in 18 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, Atascocita has more expected damage per building than 82% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $38.2M a year in losses across Atascocita: $27.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Atascocita flood? Yes: 231 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Atascocita, from FEMA’s records: 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey138 claims · $31.6M
- Tropical Storm Imelda33 claims · $2.2M
- The Heavy rains9 claims · $317K
Atascocita 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Atascocita
Disasters that paid out in Atascocita itself (aid to households or repair grants to Atascocita), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl454 households applied for aid$278K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding53 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms28 households applied for aid$19K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey78 households applied for aid$56K aid approved138 flood claims paid for it, $31.6M
- 2008Hurricane Ike68 households applied for aid$2K aid approved7 flood claims paid for it, $173K
- 2005Hurricane Rita17 households applied for aid$361 aid approved
Harris County has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. 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 Harris County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Atascocita after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Atascocita archive →Atascocita and its neighbors
Atascocita has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atascocita | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 231 |
| Houston | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 71,124 |
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 Atascocita 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 Atascocita
Is Atascocita at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Atascocita has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #524 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and hurricanes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Atascocita flood?
Flood insurance has paid 231 claims in Atascocita since 1981, $35.7M in all, or 6.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (138).
Is Atascocita 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, 48% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 16.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Atascocita?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Atascocita’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 Atascocita?
By FEMA money that reached Atascocita, Hurricane Beryl (2024): 454 households applied for aid, $278K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 138 paid, $31.6M.
Is Atascocita at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Atascocita’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Atascocita.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Atascocita’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.