Photo: Adavyd · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Coldspring
Coldspring isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to Coldspring yet. Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1998.
What Coldspring 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.
Does Coldspring flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Coldspring, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Harvey1 claim · $33K
- Tropical Storm Allison1 claim · $2K
- The Heavy rains1 claim · $2K
Coldspring isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: San Jacinto County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Coldspring
Disasters that paid out in Coldspring itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Coldspring), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl1,110 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$43K to the City of Coldspring for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding690 households applied for aid$5.0M aid approved$20K to the City of Coldspring for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms275 households applied for aid$347K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey757 households applied for aid$2.9M aid approved$27K to the City of Coldspring for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $33K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding161 households applied for aid$520K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding90 households applied for aid$70K aid approved$35K to the City of Coldspring for repairs
Show all 9
- 2008Hurricane Ike785 households applied for aid$838K aid approved$13K to the City of Coldspring for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita1,639 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$8K to the City of Coldspring for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding259 households applied for aid$763K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
San Jacinto County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, 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 San Jacinto County, 2025–2025.
Old photos of Coldspring after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Coldspring archive →Get ready for what Coldspring 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Coldspring
Does Coldspring flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Coldspring since 1998, $51K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (1).
Is Coldspring 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 San Jacinto County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Coldspring?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Coldspring’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 Coldspring?
By FEMA money that reached Coldspring, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 690 households applied for aid, $5.0M approved, and $20K to the City of Coldspring for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 1 paid, $33K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Coldspring.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Coldspring’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.