La Salle Hotel · Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Bryan’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bryan gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #61 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 246 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 Bryan’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bryan 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
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 Bryan’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bryan, and Bryan’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
A #61 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bryan’s residents live in 30 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, Bryan has less expected damage per building than 91% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $21.7M a year in losses across Bryan: $9.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bryan flood? Yes: 246 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bryan, from FEMA’s records: 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer severe storms54 claims · $2.3M
- The Early summer storms7 claims · $149K
- Hurricane Harvey4 claims · $36K
Bryan is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Brazos County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bryan
Disasters that paid out in Bryan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bryan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms1,112 households applied for aid$463K aid approved$196K to the City of Bryan for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding405 households applied for aid$813K aid approved$611K to the City of Bryan for repairs54 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike1 households applied for aid$358K to the City of Bryan for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$7K to the City of Bryan for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$11K to the City of Bryan for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$98K to the City of Bryan for repairs
Brazos County has had 13 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 Bryan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bryan archive →Bryan and its neighbors
Bryan is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Station | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 124 |
| Bryan | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 246 |
| Lake Bryan | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Bryan 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.
- 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.
- Bryan residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Bryan
Is Bryan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bryan has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #61 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bryan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 246 claims in Bryan since 1981, $5.1M in all, or 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 43 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer severe storms (54).
Is Bryan 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 Brazos County, 42% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bryan?
Bryan is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Bryan?
By FEMA money that reached Bryan, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 405 households applied for aid, $813K approved, and $611K to the City of Bryan for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer severe storms: 54 paid, $2.3M.
Is Bryan at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Bryan’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bryan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bryan’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.