FEMA puts Cloverleaf’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cloverleaf gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #598 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then hurricanes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 394 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 Cloverleaf’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cloverleaf 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 Cloverleaf’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cloverleaf, and Cloverleaf’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 25% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #598 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cloverleaf’s residents live in 7 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, Cloverleaf has more expected damage per building than 93% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.8M a year in losses across Cloverleaf: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cloverleaf flood? Yes: 394 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cloverleaf, from FEMA’s records: 52.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Allison84 claims · $2.7M
- Hurricane Harvey25 claims · $1.1M
- Hurricane Ike15 claims · $243K
Cloverleaf 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.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cloverleaf
Disasters that paid out in Cloverleaf itself (aid to households or repair grants to Cloverleaf), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$750 aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey4 households applied for aid$9K aid approved25 flood claims paid for it, $1.1M
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 Cloverleaf after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cloverleaf archive →Cloverleaf and its neighbors
Cloverleaf has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloverleaf | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 394 |
| Houston | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 71,124 |
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 Cloverleaf 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 Cloverleaf
Is Cloverleaf at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cloverleaf has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #598 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and hurricanes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cloverleaf flood?
Flood insurance has paid 394 claims in Cloverleaf since 1979, $7.8M in all, or 52.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Allison (84).
Is Cloverleaf 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 Cloverleaf?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cloverleaf’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 Cloverleaf?
By FEMA money that reached Cloverleaf, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 4 households applied for aid, $9K approved. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Allison: 84 paid, $2.7M.
Is Cloverleaf at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Cloverleaf’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cloverleaf.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cloverleaf’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.