Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Hempstead’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hempstead gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #54 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1998.
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 Hempstead 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
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 Hempstead’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hempstead, and Hempstead’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 16% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
A #54 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hempstead’s residents live in 3 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, Hempstead has less expected damage per building than 92% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Hempstead: $952K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hempstead flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hempstead, from FEMA’s records: 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer severe storms3 claims · $91K
- Tropical Storm Allison1 claim · $41K
Hempstead isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Waller County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hempstead
Disasters that paid out in Hempstead itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hempstead), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl411 households applied for aid$429K aid approved$43K to the City of Hempstead for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding580 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$67K to the City of Hempstead for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms361 households applied for aid$213K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey564 households applied for aid$262K aid approved$100K to the City of Hempstead for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding79 households applied for aid$216K aid approved$156K to the City of Hempstead for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding119 households applied for aid$246K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2008Hurricane Ike152 households applied for aid$105K aid approved$99K to the City of Hempstead for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$10K to the City of Hempstead for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$4K to the City of Hempstead for repairs
Waller County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. 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 Waller County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Hempstead after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hempstead archive →Get ready for what Hempstead 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.
- 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 Hempstead
Is Hempstead at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hempstead has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #54 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hempstead flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Hempstead since 1998, $315K in all, or 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer severe storms (3).
Is Hempstead 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 Waller County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 11.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hempstead?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hempstead’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 Hempstead?
By FEMA money that reached Hempstead, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 580 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $67K to the City of Hempstead for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer severe storms: 3 paid, $91K.
Is Hempstead at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Hempstead’s rate for it is lower than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hempstead.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hempstead’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.