Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Bridgeport than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bridgeport gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #233 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1981.
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 Bridgeport’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bridgeport 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
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Bridgeport’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bridgeport, and Bridgeport’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 7%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B #233 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bridgeport’s residents live in 3 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, Bridgeport has less expected damage per building than 64% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Bridgeport: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bridgeport flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bridgeport, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms2 claims · $60K
Bridgeport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wise County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bridgeport
Disasters that paid out in Bridgeport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bridgeport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms58 households applied for aid$46K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding99 households applied for aid$200K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Wise County has had 16 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Wise County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Bridgeport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bridgeport archive →Get ready for what Bridgeport 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.
- 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bridgeport
Is Bridgeport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bridgeport has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #233 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bridgeport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Bridgeport since 1981, $154K in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (2).
Is Bridgeport 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 Wise County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bridgeport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bridgeport’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 Bridgeport?
By FEMA money that reached Bridgeport, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2015): 99 households applied for aid, $200K approved. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 2 paid, $60K.
Is Bridgeport at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Bridgeport’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bridgeport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bridgeport’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.