Photo: Nsaum75 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Hitchcock than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hitchcock gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #583 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hurricanes (32%). Flood insurance has paid 1,273 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 Hitchcock’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hitchcock 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
Coastal 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 Hitchcock’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hitchcock, and Hitchcock’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 7%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #583 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hitchcock’s residents live in 7 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, Hitchcock has more expected damage per building than 91% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.0M a year in losses across Hitchcock: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hitchcock flood? Yes: 1,273 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hitchcock, from FEMA’s records: 427.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey303 claims · $22.7M
- Hurricane Alicia290 claims · $3.0M
- Hurricane Ike206 claims · $8.9M
Hitchcock is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Galveston County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hitchcock
Disasters that paid out in Hitchcock itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hitchcock), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl1,979 households applied for aid$2.8M aid approved$463K to the City of Hitchcock for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms371 households applied for aid$275K aid approved$108K to the City of Hitchcock for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Harvey2,135 households applied for aid$5.4M aid approved$1.4M to the City of Hitchcock for repairs303 flood claims paid for it, $22.7M
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike2,602 households applied for aid$8.9M aid approved$1.0M to the City of Hitchcock for repairs206 flood claims paid for it, $8.9M
- 2005Hurricane Rita1,727 households applied for aid$844K aid approved$31K to the City of Hitchcock for repairs
Show all 8
- 2005Hurricane Rita$5K to the City of Hitchcock for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Claudette15 households applied for aid$25K aid approved42 flood claims paid for it, $305K
Galveston County has had 25 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 Hitchcock after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hitchcock archive →Hitchcock and its neighbors
Hitchcock is 6th of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Marque | C+more damage than 62% | hurricanes | 1,281 |
| Alvin | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 1,418 |
| Santa Fe | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 615 |
| Bayou Vista | C−more damage than 78% | hurricanes | 272 |
| Tiki Island | C−more damage than 78% | hurricanes | 484 |
| Hitchcock | C−more damage than 83% | river and rain flooding | 1,273 |
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 Hitchcock 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Hitchcock residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Hitchcock
Is Hitchcock at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hitchcock has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #583 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hurricanes (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hitchcock flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,273 claims in Hitchcock since 1979, $40.1M in all, or 427.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 107 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (303).
Is Hitchcock 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 Galveston County, 66% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 42.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hitchcock?
Hitchcock is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Hitchcock?
By FEMA money that reached Hitchcock, Hurricane Ike (2008): 2,602 households applied for aid, $8.9M approved, and $1.0M to the City of Hitchcock for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 303 paid, $22.7M.
Is Hitchcock at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Hitchcock’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hitchcock.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hitchcock’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.