Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Bastrop faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bastrop gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #379 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 24 claims here since 1985.
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 Bastrop’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bastrop 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
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 Bastrop’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bastrop, and Bastrop’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #379 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bastrop’s residents live in 6 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, Bastrop has more expected damage per building than 59% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.9M a year in losses across Bastrop: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bastrop flood? Sometimes: 24 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bastrop, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer severe storms15 claims · $439K
- The Fall severe storms5 claims · $84K
- The Early summer storms2 claims · $50K
Bastrop isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bastrop County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bastrop
Disasters that paid out in Bastrop itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bastrop), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms372 households applied for aid$265K aid approved$40K to the City of Bastrop for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Harvey229 households applied for aid$182K aid approved$265K to the City of Bastrop for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding236 households applied for aid$867K aid approved$62K to the City of Bastrop for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding27 households applied for aid$39K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding201 households applied for aid$398K aid approved
- 2011Wildfires2,019 households applied for aid$5.6M aid approved$14K to the City of Bastrop for repairs
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Rita$9K to the City of Bastrop for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$2K to the City of Bastrop for repairs
- 1998Tx-flooding 10/18/98$24K to the City of Bastrop for repairs
Bastrop County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 7 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Bastrop County, 2000–2015.
Old photos of Bastrop after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bastrop archive →Get ready for what Bastrop 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.
- 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 Bastrop
Is Bastrop at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bastrop has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #379 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bastrop flood?
Flood insurance has paid 24 claims in Bastrop since 1985, $591K in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer severe storms (15).
Is Bastrop 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 Bastrop County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bastrop?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bastrop’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 Bastrop?
By FEMA money that reached Bastrop, Wildfires (2011): 2,019 households applied for aid, $5.6M approved, and $14K to the City of Bastrop for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer severe storms: 15 paid, $439K.
Is Bastrop at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Bastrop’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bastrop.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bastrop’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.