FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Holiday Lakes than in 66% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holiday Lakes gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then hurricanes (46%). Flood insurance has paid 91 claims here since 1992.
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 Holiday Lakes 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 Holiday Lakes’ grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Holiday Lakes, and Holiday Lakes’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 46%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Holiday Lakes’ residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $383K a year in losses across Holiday Lakes: $242K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Holiday Lakes flood? Sometimes: 91 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Holiday Lakes, from FEMA’s records: 273.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey63 claims · $2.6M
- The Early summer severe storms12 claims · $885K
Holiday Lakes isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brazoria County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Holiday Lakes
Disasters that paid out in Holiday Lakes itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Holiday Lakes), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl150 households applied for aid$477K aid approved$141K to the Town of Holiday Lakes for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms22 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey237 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$641K to the Town of Holiday Lakes for repairs63 flood claims paid for it, $2.6M
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding249 households applied for aid$3.0M aid approved$90K to the Town of Holiday Lakes for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$66K to the Town of Holiday Lakes for repairs
Brazoria County has had 28 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 Holiday Lakes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Holiday Lakes archive →Get ready for what Holiday Lakes 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 Holiday Lakes
Is Holiday Lakes at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holiday Lakes has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and hurricanes (46%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Holiday Lakes flood?
Flood insurance has paid 91 claims in Holiday Lakes since 1992, $3.8M in all, or 273.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 18 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (63).
Is Holiday Lakes 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 Brazoria County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 22.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Holiday Lakes?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Holiday Lakes’ 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 Holiday Lakes?
By FEMA money that reached Holiday Lakes, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 249 households applied for aid, $3.0M approved, and $90K to the Town of Holiday Lakes for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 63 paid, $2.6M.
Is Holiday Lakes at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Holiday Lakes’ rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Holiday Lakes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Holiday Lakes’ 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.