On FEMA’s figures, Freeport faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Freeport gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #306 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (61%), then river and rain flooding (29%). Flood insurance has paid 753 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 Freeport’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Freeport 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 Freeport’s grade
Hurricanes are 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Freeport, and Freeport’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 5%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #306 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Freeport’s residents live in 4 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, Freeport has less expected damage per building than 52% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Freeport: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Freeport flood? Yes: 753 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Freeport, from FEMA’s records: 148.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Claudette250 claims · $1.5M
- Hurricane Ike41 claims · $1.4M
- Hurricane Alicia22 claims · $160K
Freeport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brazoria County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Freeport
Disasters that paid out in Freeport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Freeport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl3,661 households applied for aid$6.6M aid approved$992K to the City of Freeport for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms591 households applied for aid$450K aid approved$37K to the City of Freeport for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey2,661 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$366K to the City of Freeport for repairs21 flood claims paid for it, $666K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding42 households applied for aid$82K aid approved$44K to the City of Freeport for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$43K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding6 households applied for aid$6K to the City of Freeport for repairs
Show all 11
- 2008Hurricane Ike2,615 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$679K to the City of Freeport for repairs41 flood claims paid for it, $1.4M
- 2005Hurricane Rita1,278 households applied for aid$468K aid approved$68K to the City of Freeport for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$37K to the City of Freeport for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Claudette183 households applied for aid$432K aid approved$25K to the City of Freeport for repairs250 flood claims paid for it, $1.5M
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding36 households applied for aid$89K aid approved171 flood claims paid that year
Brazoria County has had 28 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 Freeport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Freeport archive →Freeport and its neighbors
Freeport has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freeport | B−less damage than 52% | hurricanes | 753 |
| Lake Jackson | Cmore damage than 66% | hurricanes | 331 |
| Quintana | — | 18 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Surfside Beach | — | 677 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Freeport 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 Freeport
Is Freeport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Freeport has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #306 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (61%) and river and rain flooding (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Freeport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 753 claims in Freeport since 1979, $8.9M in all, or 148.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 45 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Claudette (250).
Is Freeport 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 Brazoria County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 22.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Freeport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Freeport’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 Freeport?
By FEMA money that reached Freeport, Hurricane Beryl (2024): 3,661 households applied for aid, $6.6M approved, and $992K to the City of Freeport for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Claudette: 250 paid, $1.5M.
Is Freeport at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Freeport’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Freeport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Freeport’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.