On FEMA’s figures, Bevil Oaks faces more hazard damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bevil Oaks gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (58%), then river and rain flooding (28%). Flood insurance has paid 575 claims here since 1979.
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 Bevil Oaks’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bevil Oaks 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
Wildfire
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 Bevil Oaks’ grade
Hurricanes are 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bevil Oaks, and Bevil Oaks’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 5%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Bevil Oaks’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $671K a year in losses across Bevil Oaks: $415K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bevil Oaks flood? Yes: 575 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bevil Oaks, from FEMA’s records: 1,078.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey314 claims · $73.3M
- Tropical Storm Imelda118 claims · $9.7M
- Tropical Storm Allison21 claims · $100K
Bevil Oaks is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bevil Oaks
Disasters that paid out in Bevil Oaks itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bevil Oaks), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda10 households applied for aid$25K aid approved118 flood claims paid for it, $9.7M
- 2017Hurricane Harvey33 households applied for aid$396K aid approved$576K to the City of Bevil Oaks for repairs314 flood claims paid for it, $73.3M
- 2008Hurricane Ike$25K to the City of Bevil Oaks for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita$5K to the City of Bevil Oaks for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Tx-tropical Storm Allison-06-06-2001$10K to the City of Bevil Oaks for repairs21 flood claims paid for it, $100K
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 Bevil Oaks after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bevil Oaks archive →Get ready for what Bevil Oaks 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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.
- Bevil Oaks residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bevil Oaks
Is Bevil Oaks at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bevil Oaks has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (58%) and river and rain flooding (28%). 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.
Does Bevil Oaks flood?
Flood insurance has paid 575 claims in Bevil Oaks since 1979, $89.0M in all, or 1,078.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 97 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (314).
Is Bevil Oaks 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 Bevil Oaks?
Bevil Oaks is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Bevil Oaks?
By FEMA money that reached Bevil Oaks, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 33 households applied for aid, $396K approved, and $576K to the City of Bevil Oaks for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 314 paid, $73.3M.
Is Bevil Oaks at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Bevil Oaks’ rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bevil Oaks.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bevil Oaks’ 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.