FEMA puts Bishop’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bishop gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #602 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (53%), then river and rain flooding (43%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims here since 1980.
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 Bishop 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 Bishop’s grade
Hurricanes are 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bishop, and Bishop’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 43% (higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #602 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bishop’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, Bishop has more expected damage per building than 94% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Bishop: $963K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bishop flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bishop, from FEMA’s records: 15.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Allen11 claims · $29K
- The Thunderstorms1 claim · $5K
Bishop isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Nueces County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bishop
Disasters that paid out in Bishop itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bishop), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms137 households applied for aid$108K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey288 households applied for aid$59K aid approved$98K to the City of Bishop for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding81 households applied for aid$56K aid approved$56K to the City of Bishop for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Ike$11K to the City of Bishop for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding16 households applied for aid$9K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita$3K to the City of Bishop for repairs
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Rita$3K to the City of Bishop for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding52 households applied for aid$79K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Bret$9K to the City of Bishop for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Nueces County has had 27 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 Bishop after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bishop archive →Get ready for what Bishop 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 Bishop
Is Bishop at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bishop has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #602 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (53%) and river and rain flooding (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bishop flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Bishop since 1980, $185K in all, or 15.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Allen (11).
Is Bishop 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 Nueces County, 17.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Bishop?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bishop’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 Bishop?
By FEMA money that reached Bishop, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 288 households applied for aid, $59K approved, and $98K to the City of Bishop for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Allen: 11 paid, $29K.
Is Bishop at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Bishop’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bishop.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bishop’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.