Brazoria Bridge · Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Brazoria faces more hazard damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brazoria gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #619 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hurricanes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 232 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 Brazoria’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Brazoria 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
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 Brazoria’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Brazoria, and Brazoria’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 25% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
D #619 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Brazoria’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, Brazoria has more expected damage per building than 96% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Brazoria: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Brazoria flood? Yes: 232 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Brazoria, from FEMA’s records: 181.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey25 claims · $1.9M
- Tropical Storm Claudette12 claims · $76K
- Tropical Storm Paul9 claims · $120K
Brazoria isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brazoria County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Brazoria
Disasters that paid out in Brazoria itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Brazoria), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl2,792 households applied for aid$5.0M aid approved$545K to the City of Brazoria for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms340 households applied for aid$237K aid approved$32K to the City of Brazoria for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Harvey3,616 households applied for aid$11.3M aid approved$139K to the City of Brazoria for repairs25 flood claims paid for it, $1.9M
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding64 households applied for aid$242K aid approved$17K to the City of Brazoria for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding12 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Show all 11
- 2008Hurricane Ike1,329 households applied for aid$492K aid approved$307K to the City of Brazoria for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita554 households applied for aid$154K aid approved$12K to the City of Brazoria for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$13K to the City of Brazoria for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Claudette117 households applied for aid$343K aid approved$10K to the City of Brazoria for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $76K
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding12 households applied for aid$22K aid approved66 flood claims paid that year
Brazoria County has had 28 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 Brazoria after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Brazoria archive →Brazoria and its neighbors
Brazoria has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazoria | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 232 |
| Wild Peach Village | Dmore damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 96 |
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 Brazoria 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.
- 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 Brazoria
Is Brazoria at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Brazoria has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #619 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hurricanes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Brazoria flood?
Flood insurance has paid 232 claims in Brazoria since 1979, $4.9M in all, or 181.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 26 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (25).
Is Brazoria 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 Brazoria County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 22.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Brazoria?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Brazoria’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 Brazoria?
By FEMA money that reached Brazoria, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 3,616 households applied for aid, $11.3M approved, and $139K to the City of Brazoria for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 25 paid, $1.9M.
Is Brazoria at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Brazoria’s rate for it is higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Brazoria.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Brazoria’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.