FEMA puts Highlands’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highlands gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #440 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then hurricanes (36%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 2008.
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 Highlands 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
Tornadoes
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 Highlands’ grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Highlands, and Highlands’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 36% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C #440 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Highlands’ 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, Highlands has more expected damage per building than 68% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Highlands: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Highlands flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Highlands, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey6 claims · $359K
- Tropical Storm Imelda2 claims · $122K
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $3K
Highlands isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Harris County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Highlands
Disasters that paid out in Highlands itself (aid to households or repair grants to Highlands), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl1,849 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding399 households applied for aid$495K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms364 households applied for aid$257K aid approved
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda40 households applied for aid$81K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $122K
- 2017Hurricane Harvey1,214 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved6 flood claims paid for it, $359K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding18 households applied for aid$14K aid approved
Show all 12
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding26 households applied for aid$67K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding15 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike1,720 households applied for aid$864K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
- 2005Hurricane Rita1,138 households applied for aid$450K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding1 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
Harris County has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe 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 Harris County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Highlands after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Highlands archive →Highlands and its neighbors
Highlands has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highlands | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 13 |
| Baytown | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 2,678 |
| Channelview | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 414 |
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 Highlands 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.
- 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.
- 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 Highlands
Is Highlands at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Highlands has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #440 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and hurricanes (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Highlands flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Highlands since 2008, $571K in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (6).
Is Highlands 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 Harris County, 48% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 16.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Highlands?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Highlands’ 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 Highlands?
By FEMA money that reached Highlands, Hurricane Beryl (2024): 1,849 households applied for aid, $2.4M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 6 paid, $359K.
Is Highlands at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Highlands’ rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Highlands.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Highlands’ 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.