Photo: DoyleWelborn · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Cut and Shoot than in 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cut and Shoot gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 2016.
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 Cut and Shoot 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
Tornadoes
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 Cut and Shoot’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cut and Shoot, and Cut and Shoot’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cut and Shoot’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $326K a year in losses across Cut and Shoot: $158K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cut and Shoot flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cut and Shoot, from FEMA’s records: 24.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer severe storms3 claims · $94K
- Tropical Storm Imelda3 claims · $184K
- Hurricane Harvey2 claims · $127K
Cut and Shoot isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Montgomery County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cut and Shoot
Disasters that paid out in Cut and Shoot itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cut and Shoot), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl41 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda2 households applied for aid$8K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $184K
- 2017Hurricane Harvey5 households applied for aid$28K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $127K
- 2008Hurricane Ike20 households applied for aid$37K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita7 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
Montgomery County has had 28 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.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Montgomery County, 2000–2025.
Old photos of Cut and Shoot after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cut and Shoot archive →Get ready for what Cut and Shoot 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.
- 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.
- 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 Cut and Shoot
Is Cut and Shoot at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cut and Shoot has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cut and Shoot flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Cut and Shoot since 2016, $426K in all, or 24.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer severe storms (3).
Is Cut and Shoot 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 Montgomery County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 10.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cut and Shoot?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cut and Shoot’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 Cut and Shoot?
By FEMA money that reached Cut and Shoot, Hurricane Ike (2008): 20 households applied for aid, $37K approved. By flood claims, Early summer severe storms: 3 paid, $94K.
Is Cut and Shoot at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Cut and Shoot’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cut and Shoot.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cut and Shoot’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.