FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Barrett than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Barrett gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #439 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hurricanes (36%). 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 Barrett 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
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 Barrett’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Barrett, and Barrett’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 1%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C #439 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Barrett’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Barrett has more expected damage per building than 68% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Barrett: $917K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Barrett flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Barrett. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Barrett 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Barrett
Disasters that paid out in Barrett itself (aid to households or repair grants to Barrett), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey6 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita2 households applied for aid$2K 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 Barrett after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Barrett archive →Get ready for what Barrett 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.
- 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 Barrett
Is Barrett at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Barrett has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #439 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hurricanes (36%). 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.
Is Barrett 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 Barrett?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Barrett’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 Barrett?
By FEMA money that reached Barrett, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 1 households applied for aid, $5K approved.
Is Barrett at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Barrett’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Barrett.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Barrett’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.