Photo: Djmaschek · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in El Campo than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, El Campo gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #620 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (68%), then river and rain flooding (29%). Flood insurance has paid 155 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 El Campo’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What El Campo 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 El Campo’s grade
Hurricanes are 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in El Campo, and El Campo’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 29% (lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts).
D #620 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
El Campo’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, El Campo has more expected damage per building than 97% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.3M a year in losses across El Campo: $5.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does El Campo flood? Yes: 155 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in El Campo, from FEMA’s records: 32.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Bill5 claims · $144K
- Hurricane Harvey1 claim · $7K
- The Heavy rains1 claim · $20K
El Campo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wharton County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to El Campo
Disasters that paid out in El Campo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of El Campo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl2,693 households applied for aid$3.6M aid approved$1.3M to the City of El Campo for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms342 households applied for aid$176K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey857 households applied for aid$303K aid approved$25K to the City of El Campo for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding48 households applied for aid$32K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike$35K to the City of El Campo for repairs
Wharton County has had 20 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 El Campo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the El Campo archive →Get ready for what El Campo 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 El Campo
Is El Campo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, El Campo has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #620 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (68%) and river and rain flooding (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does El Campo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 155 claims in El Campo since 1979, $3.0M in all, or 32.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 11 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Bill (5).
Is El Campo 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 Wharton County, 22% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 10.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in El Campo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for El Campo’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 El Campo?
By FEMA money that reached El Campo, Hurricane Beryl (2024): 2,693 households applied for aid, $3.6M approved, and $1.3M to the City of El Campo for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Bill: 5 paid, $144K.
Is El Campo at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and El Campo’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in El Campo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where El Campo’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.