Photo: StationNT5Bmedia · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Dayton than in 62% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dayton gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #412 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then hurricanes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 255 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 Dayton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Dayton 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 Dayton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dayton, and Dayton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 37% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #412 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dayton’s residents live in 5 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, Dayton has more expected damage per building than 64% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Dayton: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dayton flood? Yes: 255 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dayton, from FEMA’s records: 73.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey50 claims · $3.5M
- Tropical Storm Imelda14 claims · $827K
- The Fall severe storms8 claims · $223K
Dayton 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.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dayton
Disasters that paid out in Dayton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dayton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl3,658 households applied for aid$3.7M aid approved$225K to the City of Dayton for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding641 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$5K to the City of Dayton for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms510 households applied for aid$570K aid approved
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda362 households applied for aid$852K aid approved14 flood claims paid for it, $827K
- 2017Hurricane Harvey3,901 households applied for aid$11.0M aid approved$356K to the City of Dayton for repairs50 flood claims paid for it, $3.5M
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding77 households applied for aid$79K aid approved
Show all 14
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding68 households applied for aid$78K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding192 households applied for aid$404K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding124 households applied for aid$274K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike4,999 households applied for aid$5.1M aid approved$881K to the City of Dayton for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding28 households applied for aid$55K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita8,899 households applied for aid$8.8M aid approved$85K to the City of Dayton for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$11K to the City of Dayton for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding66 households applied for aid$191K aid approved13 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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dayton archive →Dayton and its neighbors
Dayton is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 468 |
| Dayton | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 255 |
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 Dayton 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 Dayton
Is Dayton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dayton has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #412 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and hurricanes (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dayton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 255 claims in Dayton since 1979, $7.2M in all, or 73.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 40 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (50).
Is Dayton 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?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dayton’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 Dayton?
By FEMA money that reached Dayton, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 3,901 households applied for aid, $11.0M approved, and $356K to the City of Dayton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 50 paid, $3.5M.
Is Dayton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Dayton’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dayton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dayton’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.