More hazard damage per building is expected in Kirbyville than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kirbyville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hurricanes (35%). Flood insurance has paid 43 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 Kirbyville 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 Kirbyville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kirbyville, and Kirbyville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 35%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kirbyville’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $883K a year in losses across Kirbyville: $610K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kirbyville flood? Sometimes: 43 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kirbyville, from FEMA’s records: 45.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey10 claims · $848K
- Tropical Storm Allison4 claims · $31K
- Tropical Storm Paul4 claims · $219K
Kirbyville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jasper County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kirbyville
Disasters that paid out in Kirbyville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kirbyville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl269 households applied for aid$612K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding356 households applied for aid$2.1M aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms91 households applied for aid$69K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey990 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$104K to the City of Kirbyville for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $848K
- 2016Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding128 households applied for aid$532K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding$36K to the City of Kirbyville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 9
- 2008Hurricane Ike1,104 households applied for aid$713K aid approved$194K to the City of Kirbyville for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $23K
- 2005Hurricane Rita3,512 households applied for aid$7.3M aid approved$849K to the City of Kirbyville for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding24 households applied for aid$51K aid approved
Jasper County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical 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 Jasper County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Kirbyville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kirbyville archive →Get ready for what Kirbyville 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 Kirbyville
Is Kirbyville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kirbyville has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and hurricanes (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kirbyville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 43 claims in Kirbyville since 1978, $2.0M in all, or 45.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (10).
Is Kirbyville 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 Jasper County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kirbyville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kirbyville’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 Kirbyville?
By FEMA money that reached Kirbyville, Hurricane Rita (2005): 3,512 households applied for aid, $7.3M approved, and $849K to the City of Kirbyville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 10 paid, $848K.
Is Kirbyville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Kirbyville’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kirbyville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kirbyville’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.