FEMA puts China’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, China gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (58%), then river and rain flooding (28%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2013.
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 China 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
Tornadoes
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 China’s grade
Hurricanes are 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in China, and China’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 5%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of China’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $776K a year in losses across China: $480K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does China flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in China, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey1 claim · $87K
China isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to China
Disasters that paid out in China itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of China), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl49 households applied for aid$66K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms18 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda72 households applied for aid$289K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey227 households applied for aid$346K aid approved$740K to the City of China for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $87K
- 2008Hurricane Ike408 households applied for aid$493K aid approved$105K to the City of China for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita715 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$24K to the City of China for repairs
Show all 7
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding12 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
Jefferson County has had 24 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 China after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the China archive →Get ready for what China 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.
- 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.
- 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 China
Is China at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, China has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (58%) and river and rain flooding (28%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does China flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in China since 2013, $94K in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (1).
Is China 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 Jefferson County, 22.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in China?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for China’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 China?
By FEMA money that reached China, Hurricane Rita (2005): 715 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved, and $24K to the City of China for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 1 paid, $87K.
Is China at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and China’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in China.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where China’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.