Photo: Sgt. 1st Class E. L. Craig · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Beaumont than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beaumont gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #609 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (61%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 5,480 claims here since 1978.
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 Beaumont’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Beaumont 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
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 Beaumont’s grade
Hurricanes are 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Beaumont, and Beaumont’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 30% (lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts).
D #609 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Beaumont’s residents live in 35 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, Beaumont has more expected damage per building than 95% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Beaumont has higher expected damage per building than 79% (#316 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $66.5M, is the 182th largest of those 400.
Does Beaumont flood? Yes: 5,480 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Beaumont, from FEMA’s records: 104.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Imelda1,077 claims · $95.5M
- Tropical Storm Allison845 claims · $14.7M
- Hurricane Harvey752 claims · $58.1M
Beaumont is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Beaumont
Disasters that paid out in Beaumont itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Beaumont), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl11,723 households applied for aid$8.5M aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms3,262 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$113K to the City of Beaumont for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Hurricane Laura$853K to the City of Beaumont for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda6,927 households applied for aid$21.7M aid approved1,077 flood claims paid for it, $95.5M
- 2017Hurricane Harvey35,993 households applied for aid$62.7M aid approved$68.1M to the City of Beaumont for repairs752 flood claims paid for it, $58.1M
- 2008Hurricane Ike42,079 households applied for aid$16.4M aid approved$25.6M to the City of Beaumont for repairs
Show all 13
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$1.2M to the City of Beaumont for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita72,738 households applied for aid$136M aid approved$11.8M to the City of Beaumont for repairs154 flood claims paid for it, $4.1M
- 2005Hurricane Rita3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved154 flood claims paid for it, $4.1M
- 2005Hurricane Rita$220K to the City of Beaumont for repairs154 flood claims paid for it, $4.1M
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$58K to the City of Beaumont for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding2,895 households applied for aid$6.7M aid approved390 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Tx-tropical Storm Allison-06-06-2001$124K to the City of Beaumont for repairs845 flood claims paid for it, $14.7M
Jefferson County has had 24 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 Beaumont after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Beaumont archive →Beaumont and its neighbors
Beaumont has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaumont | Dmore damage than 86% | hurricanes | 5,480 |
| Rose Hill Acres | — | 324 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Beaumont 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.
- 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.
- Beaumont residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Beaumont
Is Beaumont at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Beaumont has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #609 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (61%) and river and rain flooding (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Beaumont flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5,480 claims in Beaumont since 1978, $207M in all, or 104.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 604 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Imelda (1,077).
Is Beaumont 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 Jefferson County, 22.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Beaumont?
Beaumont is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Beaumont?
By FEMA money that reached Beaumont, Hurricane Rita (2005): 72,738 households applied for aid, $136M approved, and $11.8M to the City of Beaumont for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Imelda: 1,077 paid, $95.5M.
Is Beaumont at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Beaumont’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Beaumont.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Beaumont’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.