Photo: Loadmaster (David R. Tribble) This image was made by Loadmaster (David R. Tribble). Email the author: David R. Tribble Also see my personal gallery at Google Photos · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Hamilton’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamilton gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #92 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 6 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 Hamilton 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
Tornadoes
Hail
Wildfire
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 Hamilton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hamilton, and Hamilton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 6%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #92 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hamilton’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, Hamilton has less expected damage per building than 86% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Hamilton: $632K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hamilton flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hamilton, from FEMA’s records: 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Allison4 claims · $122K
- Hurricane Alicia1 claim · $8K
Hamilton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hamilton County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hamilton
Disasters that paid out in Hamilton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hamilton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$341K to the City of Hamilton for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
Hamilton County has had 12 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 Hamilton County, 2009–2009.
Old photos of Hamilton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hamilton archive →Get ready for what Hamilton 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.
- 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Hamilton
Is Hamilton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamilton has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #92 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hamilton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Hamilton since 1983, $136K in all, or 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Allison (4).
Is Hamilton 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 Hamilton County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Hamilton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hamilton’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 Hamilton?
By FEMA money that reached Hamilton, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): $341K to the City of Hamilton for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Allison: 4 paid, $122K.
Is Hamilton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Hamilton’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hamilton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hamilton’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.