On FEMA’s figures, Channelview faces more hazard damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Channelview gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #587 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then hurricanes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 414 claims here since 1978.
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 Channelview’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Channelview 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 Channelview’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Channelview, and Channelview’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 30% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #587 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Channelview’s residents live in 8 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, Channelview has more expected damage per building than 91% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $18.0M a year in losses across Channelview: $11.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Channelview flood? Yes: 414 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Channelview, from FEMA’s records: 30.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey85 claims · $4.2M
- Tropical Storm Allison85 claims · $2.6M
- Hurricane Ike30 claims · $1.9M
Channelview isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Harris County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Channelview
Disasters that paid out in Channelview itself (aid to households or repair grants to Channelview), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl4,988 households applied for aid$5.7M aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding2,610 households applied for aid$2.7M aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms744 households applied for aid$394K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda50 households applied for aid$43K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey2,862 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved85 flood claims paid for it, $4.2M
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$31K aid approved
Show all 13
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding26 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding16 households applied for aid$26K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding34 households applied for aid$48K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike3,881 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved30 flood claims paid for it, $1.9M
- 2007Tropical Storm Erin4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita1,840 households applied for aid$711K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding13 households applied for aid$36K aid approved
Harris County has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe 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 Harris County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Channelview after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Channelview archive →Channelview and its neighbors
Channelview is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Channelview 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 Channelview
Is Channelview at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Channelview has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #587 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and hurricanes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Channelview flood?
Flood insurance has paid 414 claims in Channelview since 1978, $11.7M in all, or 30.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (85).
Is Channelview 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 Harris County, 48% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 16.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Channelview?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Channelview’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 Channelview?
By FEMA money that reached Channelview, Hurricane Beryl (2024): 4,988 households applied for aid, $5.7M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 85 paid, $4.2M.
Is Channelview at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Channelview’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Channelview.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Channelview’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.