Photo: WhisperToMe · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Jamaica Beach than in 91% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jamaica Beach gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then coastal flooding (29%). Flood insurance has paid 1,318 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 Jamaica Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Jamaica Beach 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
Coastal 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 Jamaica Beach’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Jamaica Beach, and Jamaica Beach’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 29%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Jamaica Beach’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Jamaica Beach: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Jamaica Beach flood? Yes: 1,318 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Jamaica Beach, from FEMA’s records: 907.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike853 claims · $19.3M
- Hurricane Alicia128 claims · $970K
- Hurricane Claudette36 claims · $258K
Jamaica Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Galveston County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Jamaica Beach
Disasters that paid out in Jamaica Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Jamaica Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl47 households applied for aid$36K aid approved$73K to the City of Jamaica Beach for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms9 households applied for aid$9K to the City of Jamaica Beach for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Tropical Storms Marco and Laura$8K to the City of Jamaica Beach for repairs14 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey22 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$18K to the City of Jamaica Beach for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $119K
- 2008Hurricane Ike311 households applied for aid$323K aid approved$3.5M to the City of Jamaica Beach for repairs853 flood claims paid for it, $19.3M
- 2005Hurricane Rita27 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$26K to the City of Jamaica Beach for repairs
Show all 8
- 2005Hurricane Rita$8K to the City of Jamaica Beach for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Claudette4 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$38K to the City of Jamaica Beach for repairs36 flood claims paid for it, $258K
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 Jamaica Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Jamaica Beach archive →Get ready for what Jamaica Beach 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Jamaica Beach residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Jamaica Beach
Is Jamaica Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Jamaica Beach has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and coastal flooding (29%). 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 Jamaica Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,318 claims in Jamaica Beach since 1979, $23.2M in all, or 907.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 49 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (853).
Is Jamaica Beach 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 Jamaica Beach?
Jamaica Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Jamaica Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Jamaica Beach, Hurricane Ike (2008): 311 households applied for aid, $323K approved, and $3.5M to the City of Jamaica Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 853 paid, $19.3M.
Is Jamaica Beach at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Jamaica Beach’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Jamaica Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Jamaica Beach’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.