On FEMA’s figures, Ben Bolt faces more hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ben Bolt gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (60%), then river and rain flooding (31%). 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 Ben Bolt 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.
What’s behind Ben Bolt’s grade
Hurricanes are 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ben Bolt, and Ben Bolt’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 31% (lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ben Bolt’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Ben Bolt: $773K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ben Bolt flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Ben Bolt. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Ben Bolt isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jim Wells County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ben Bolt
Disasters that paid out in Ben Bolt itself (aid to households or repair grants to Ben Bolt), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms10 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding13 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding4 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
Jim Wells County has had 25 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 Ben Bolt after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ben Bolt archive →Get ready for what Ben Bolt 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 Ben Bolt
Is Ben Bolt at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ben Bolt has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (60%) and river and rain flooding (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Ben Bolt 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 Jim Wells County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ben Bolt?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ben Bolt’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 Ben Bolt?
By FEMA money that reached Ben Bolt, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2015): 13 households applied for aid, $12K approved.
Is Ben Bolt at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Ben Bolt’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ben Bolt.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ben Bolt’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.