Storms, floods and disasters in Dayton Lakes
Dayton Lakes isn’t graded for hazard risk: Dayton Lakes has 85 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 46 claims here since 1989.
What Dayton Lakes 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
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.
Does Dayton Lakes flood? Sometimes: 46 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dayton Lakes, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Harvey10 claims · $218K
- Tropical Storm Allison1 claim · $10K
Dayton Lakes isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Liberty County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dayton Lakes
Disasters that paid out in Dayton Lakes itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dayton Lakes), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$48K aid approved
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda2 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey11 households applied for aid$61K aid approved10 flood claims paid for it, $218K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$19K to the City of Dayton Lakes for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike1 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita$28K to the City of Dayton Lakes for repairs
Show all 8
- 2001Tx-tropical Storm Allison-06-06-2001$27K to the City of Dayton Lakes for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $10K
- 1998Tx-flooding 10/18/98$36K to the City of Dayton Lakes for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Liberty County has had 31 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. 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 Liberty County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Dayton Lakes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dayton Lakes archive →Get ready for what Dayton Lakes 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.
- 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 Dayton Lakes
Does Dayton Lakes flood?
Flood insurance has paid 46 claims in Dayton Lakes since 1989, $745K in all. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (10).
Is Dayton Lakes 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 Liberty County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dayton Lakes?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dayton Lakes’ 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 Dayton Lakes?
By FEMA money that reached Dayton Lakes, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 11 households applied for aid, $61K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 10 paid, $218K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dayton Lakes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dayton Lakes’ 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.