Photo: The original uploader was DanielCD at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Humble than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Humble gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #459 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hurricanes (36%). Flood insurance has paid 773 claims here since 1978.
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 Humble’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Humble 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 Humble’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Humble, and Humble’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 36% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C #459 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Humble’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, Humble has more expected damage per building than 71% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.9M a year in losses across Humble: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Humble flood? Yes: 773 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Humble, from FEMA’s records: 120.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey216 claims · $40.8M
- Tropical Storm Allison85 claims · $3.2M
- The Heavy rains52 claims · $1.5M
Humble 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.15 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Humble
Disasters that paid out in Humble itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Humble), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl38,356 households applied for aid$31.5M aid approved$509K to the City of Humble for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding5,408 households applied for aid$3.1M aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms4,979 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$11K to the City of Humble for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda578 households applied for aid$849K aid approved43 flood claims paid for it, $2.7M
- 2017Hurricane Harvey14,164 households applied for aid$25.6M aid approved$1.5M to the City of Humble for repairs216 flood claims paid for it, $40.8M
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding95 households applied for aid$164K aid approved
Show all 15
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding279 households applied for aid$424K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$283 aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding92 households applied for aid$101K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike13,413 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$1.6M to the City of Humble for repairs33 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Tropical Storm Erin3 households applied for aid$15K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita2,255 households applied for aid$767K aid approved$120K to the City of Humble for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$21K to the City of Humble for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding118 households applied for aid$344K aid approved53 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Tx-tropical Storm Allison-06-06-2001$28K to the City of Humble for repairs85 flood claims paid for it, $3.2M
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 Humble after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Humble archive →Humble and its neighbors
Humble has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humble | Cmore damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 773 |
| Houston | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 71,124 |
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 Humble 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 Humble
Is Humble at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Humble has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #459 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hurricanes (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Humble flood?
Flood insurance has paid 773 claims in Humble since 1978, $59.6M in all, or 120.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 87 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (216).
Is Humble 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 Humble?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Humble’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 Humble?
By FEMA money that reached Humble, Hurricane Beryl (2024): 38,356 households applied for aid, $31.5M approved, and $509K to the City of Humble for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 216 paid, $40.8M.
Is Humble at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Humble’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Humble.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Humble’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.