Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Bellville’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bellville gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #177 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 2004.
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 Bellville 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
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 Bellville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bellville, and Bellville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 13% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #177 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bellville’s residents live in 2 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, Bellville has less expected damage per building than 73% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Bellville: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bellville flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2004
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bellville, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-06-Arthur-TS1 claim · $87K
- The Spring severe storms1 claim · $472
- Hurricane Harvey1 claim · $4K
Bellville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Austin County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bellville
Disasters that paid out in Bellville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bellville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl215 households applied for aid$317K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding320 households applied for aid$633K aid approved$219K to the City of Bellville for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms76 households applied for aid$56K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey195 households applied for aid$86K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding65 households applied for aid$342K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding57 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2008Hurricane Ike25 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$9K to the City of Bellville for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$6K to the City of Bellville for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$3K to the City of Bellville for repairs
Austin County has had 18 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.
Old photos of Bellville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bellville archive →Get ready for what Bellville 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.
- 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 Bellville
Is Bellville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bellville has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #177 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bellville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Bellville since 2004, $148K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-06-Arthur-TS (1).
Is Bellville 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 Austin County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bellville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bellville’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 Bellville?
By FEMA money that reached Bellville, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 320 households applied for aid, $633K approved, and $219K to the City of Bellville for repairs. By flood claims, 2026-06-Arthur-TS: 1 paid, $87K.
Is Bellville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Bellville’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bellville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bellville’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.