Photo: Jim Evans · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, La Porte faces more hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Porte gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #591 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then hurricanes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 2,498 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 La Porte’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What La Porte 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 La Porte’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in La Porte, and La Porte’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 37% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #591 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
La Porte’s residents live in 10 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, La Porte has more expected damage per building than 92% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $21.4M a year in losses across La Porte: $16.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does La Porte flood? Yes: 2,498 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in La Porte, from FEMA’s records: 181.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Allison619 claims · $19.1M
- Hurricane Ike600 claims · $39.1M
- Hurricane Harvey367 claims · $21.5M
La Porte is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Harris County.16 federal disasters brought FEMA money to La Porte
Disasters that paid out in La Porte itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of La Porte), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl5,245 households applied for aid$3.8M aid approved$954K to the City of La Porte for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding380 households applied for aid$276K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms624 households applied for aid$257K aid approved$26K to the City of La Porte for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2020Tropical Storms Marco and Laura$93K to the City of La Porte for repairs
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda11 households applied for aid$23K aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey2,810 households applied for aid$3.5M aid approved$890K to the City of La Porte for repairs367 flood claims paid for it, $21.5M
Show all 16
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$406 aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding19 households applied for aid$19K aid approved41 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike6,960 households applied for aid$6.4M aid approved$8.1M to the City of La Porte for repairs600 flood claims paid for it, $39.1M
- 2007Tropical Storm Erin70 households applied for aid$334K aid approved204 flood claims paid for it, $6.5M
- 2005Hurricane Rita3,023 households applied for aid$916K aid approved$453K to the City of La Porte for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$75K to the City of La Porte for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$60K to the City of La Porte for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding3 households applied for aid$3K aid approved9 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Tx-tropical Storm Allison-06-06-2001$160K to the City of La Porte for repairs619 flood claims paid for it, $19.1M
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 La Porte after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the La Porte archive →La Porte and its neighbors
La Porte is 4th of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pasadena | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 5,531 |
| Deer Park | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 1,530 |
| Shoreacres | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 917 |
| La Porte | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 2,498 |
| Morgan's Point | — | 233 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 La Porte 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.
- La Porte residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in La Porte
Is La Porte at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Porte has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #591 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and hurricanes (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does La Porte flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,498 claims in La Porte since 1979, $94.1M in all, or 181.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 345 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Allison (619).
Is La Porte 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 La Porte?
La Porte is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 La Porte?
By FEMA money that reached La Porte, Hurricane Ike (2008): 6,960 households applied for aid, $6.4M approved, and $8.1M to the City of La Porte for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Allison: 619 paid, $19.1M.
Is La Porte at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and La Porte’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in La Porte.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where La Porte’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.