Port Arthur-Orange Bridge · Photo: Aren Cambre · CC BY-SA 2.5On FEMA’s figures, Bridge City faces more hazard damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bridge City gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #623 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (54%), then river and rain flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 2,363 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 Bridge City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bridge City 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
Coastal 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 Bridge City’s grade
Hurricanes are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bridge City, and Bridge City’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 10%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #623 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bridge City’s residents live in 4 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, Bridge City has more expected damage per building than 97% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.9M a year in losses across Bridge City: $3.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bridge City flood? Yes: 2,363 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bridge City, from FEMA’s records: 605.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1,437 claims · $183M
- Hurricane Harvey601 claims · $56.2M
- The Heavy rains46 claims · $509K
Bridge City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Orange County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bridge City
Disasters that paid out in Bridge City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bridge City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl222 households applied for aid$191K aid approved18 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms55 households applied for aid$28K aid approved$6K to the City of Bridge City for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2020Tropical Storms Marco and Laura$173K to the City of Bridge City for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda18 households applied for aid$28K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey2,115 households applied for aid$3.2M aid approved$1.3M to the City of Bridge City for repairs601 flood claims paid for it, $56.2M
- 2008Hurricane Ike4,132 households applied for aid$33.3M aid approved$4.4M to the City of Bridge City for repairs1,437 flood claims paid for it, $183M
Show all 10
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$21K to the City of Bridge City for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita4,525 households applied for aid$9.1M aid approved$364K to the City of Bridge City for repairs24 flood claims paid for it, $608K
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding31 households applied for aid$90K aid approved50 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Tx-tropical Storm Allison-06-06-2001$2K to the City of Bridge City for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
Orange County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Bridge City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bridge City archive →Bridge City and its neighbors
Bridge City is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange | Dmore damage than 88% | hurricanes | 1,555 |
| Bridge City | Dmore damage than 88% | hurricanes | 2,363 |
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 Bridge City 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Bridge City 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 Bridge City
Is Bridge City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bridge City has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #623 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (54%) and river and rain flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bridge City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,363 claims in Bridge City since 1979, $245M in all, or 605.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 479 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1,437).
Is Bridge City 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 Orange County, 29.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Bridge City?
Bridge City 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 Bridge City?
By FEMA money that reached Bridge City, Hurricane Ike (2008): 4,132 households applied for aid, $33.3M approved, and $4.4M to the City of Bridge City for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1,437 paid, $183M.
Is Bridge City at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Bridge City’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bridge City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bridge City’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.