Storms, floods and disasters in Austwell
Austwell isn’t graded for hazard risk: Austwell has 149 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2007.
What Austwell faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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.
Does Austwell flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Austwell, from FEMA’s records.
- Tropical Storm Bill1 claim · $689
- The Thunderstorms1 claim · $14K
- Hurricane Harvey1 claim · $21K
Austwell isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Refugio County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Austwell
Disasters that paid out in Austwell itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Austwell), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Harvey98 households applied for aid$152K aid approved$167K to the City of Austwell for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $21K
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding$19K to the City of Austwell for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Claudette42 households applied for aid$23K aid approved$15K to the City of Austwell for repairs
Refugio County has had 23 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 Austwell after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Austwell archive →Get ready for what Austwell faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Austwell
Does Austwell flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Austwell since 2007, $35K in all. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Bill (1).
Is Austwell 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 Refugio County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Austwell?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Austwell’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 Austwell?
By FEMA money that reached Austwell, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 98 households applied for aid, $152K approved, and $167K to the City of Austwell for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Bill: 1 paid, $689.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Austwell.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Austwell’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.