Photo: Aggie0083 at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, College Station faces less hazard damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, College Station gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #52 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 124 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 College Station’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What College Station 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 College Station’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in College Station, and College Station’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts).
A #52 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
College Station’s residents live in 34 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, College Station has less expected damage per building than 92% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, College Station has lower expected damage per building than 95% (#20 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $31.3M, is the 347th largest of those 400.
Does College Station flood? Yes: 124 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in College Station, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Alicia12 claims · $43K
- The Early summer severe storms6 claims · $70K
- The Texas Spring Flooding3 claims · $48K
College Station is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Brazos County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to College Station
Disasters that paid out in College Station itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of College Station), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms672 households applied for aid$159K aid approved$500K to the City of College Station for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding41 households applied for aid$31K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike$82K to the City of College Station for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$24K to the City of College Station for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$16K to the City of College Station for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$258K to the City of College Station 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 College Station after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the College Station archive →College Station and its neighbors
College Station 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Station | Aless damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 124 |
| Bryan | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 246 |
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 College Station 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.
- College Station residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in College Station
Is College Station at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, College Station has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #52 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does College Station flood?
Flood insurance has paid 124 claims in College Station since 1981, $1.4M in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Alicia (12).
Is College Station 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 College Station?
College Station is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 College Station?
By FEMA money that reached College Station, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 672 households applied for aid, $159K approved, and $500K to the City of College Station for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Alicia: 12 paid, $43K.
Is College Station at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and College Station’s rate for it is lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in College Station.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where College Station’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.