Photo: Billy Hathorn at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Edna faces more hazard damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Edna gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #628 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (65%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 132 claims here since 1980.
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 Edna’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Edna faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Edna’s grade
Hurricanes are 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Edna, and Edna’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 30% (higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts).
D #628 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Edna’s residents live in 2 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, Edna has more expected damage per building than 98% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.9M a year in losses across Edna: $7.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Edna flood? Yes: 132 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Edna, from FEMA’s records: 48.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey5 claims · $144K
- Tropical Storm Bill3 claims · $32K
- Tropical Storm Beta2 claims · $27K
Edna isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jackson County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Edna
Disasters that paid out in Edna itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Edna), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl520 households applied for aid$438K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms119 households applied for aid$54K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey1,663 households applied for aid$488K aid approved$145K to the City of Edna for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $144K
- 2005Hurricane Rita$7K to the City of Edna for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$6K to the City of Edna for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$9K to the City of Edna for repairs
Show all 8
- 2003Hurricane Claudette87 households applied for aid$60K aid approved$15K to the City of Edna for repairs
- 1998Tx-flooding 10/18/98$1K to the City of Edna for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Jackson County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Edna after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Edna archive →Get ready for what Edna faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Edna
Is Edna at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Edna has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #628 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (65%) and river and rain flooding (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Edna flood?
Flood insurance has paid 132 claims in Edna since 1980, $2.1M in all, or 48.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 13 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (5).
Is Edna 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 Jackson County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 6.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Edna?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Edna’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 Edna?
By FEMA money that reached Edna, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 1,663 households applied for aid, $488K approved, and $145K to the City of Edna for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 5 paid, $144K.
Is Edna at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Edna’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Edna.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Edna’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.