On FEMA’s figures, Fulshear faces more hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fulshear gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #569 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hurricanes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 29 claims here since 1983.
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 Fulshear 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
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 Fulshear’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fulshear, and Fulshear’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 21% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #569 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fulshear’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, Fulshear has more expected damage per building than 89% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.7M a year in losses across Fulshear: $7.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fulshear flood? Sometimes: 29 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fulshear, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey7 claims · $761K
- The Spring severe storms3 claims · $106K
- The Heavy rains2 claims · $43K
Fulshear isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fort Bend County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fulshear
Disasters that paid out in Fulshear itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fulshear), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl1,923 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$243K to the City of Fulshear for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms212 households applied for aid$90K aid approved$58K to the City of Fulshear for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Harvey442 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$200K to the City of Fulshear for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $761K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding38 households applied for aid$55K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding15 households applied for aid$20K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2008Hurricane Ike79 households applied for aid$55K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita15 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding28 households applied for aid$61K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Fort Bend County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical 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 Fort Bend County, 2006–2006.
Old photos of Fulshear after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fulshear archive →Fulshear and its neighbors
Fulshear 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulshear | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 29 |
| Houston | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 71,124 |
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 Fulshear 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.
- 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 Fulshear
Is Fulshear at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fulshear has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #569 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hurricanes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fulshear flood?
Flood insurance has paid 29 claims in Fulshear since 1983, $1.3M in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (7).
Is Fulshear 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 Fort Bend County, 42% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 15.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fulshear?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fulshear’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 Fulshear?
By FEMA money that reached Fulshear, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 442 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved, and $200K to the City of Fulshear for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 7 paid, $761K.
Is Fulshear at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Fulshear’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fulshear.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fulshear’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.