Photo: Photolitherland Chris Litherland · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Livingston’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 74% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Livingston gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #504 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%), then hurricanes (36%). Flood insurance has paid 51 claims here since 1989.
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 Livingston’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Livingston 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
Strong wind
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 Livingston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 47% of the building damage FEMA expects in Livingston, and Livingston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 7%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C #504 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Livingston’s residents live in 6 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, Livingston has more expected damage per building than 78% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.2M a year in losses across Livingston: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Livingston flood? Sometimes: 51 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Livingston, from FEMA’s records: 17.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Texas Spring Flooding9 claims · $263K
- Tropical Storm Paul8 claims · $479K
- Hurricane Rita1 claim · $290
Livingston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Polk County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Livingston
Disasters that paid out in Livingston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Livingston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl4,908 households applied for aid$6.3M aid approved$204K to the Town of Livingston for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding1,836 households applied for aid$7.3M aid approved$741K to the Town of Livingston for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms673 households applied for aid$394K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey1,519 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$17K to the Town of Livingston for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Ike3,722 households applied for aid$2.7M aid approved$1.1M to the Town of Livingston for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $748
- 2005Hurricane Rita7,195 households applied for aid$6.5M aid approved$330K to the Town of Livingston for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $290
Show all 7
- 2005Hurricane Rita$18K to the Town of Livingston for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $290
Polk County has had 23 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.
Old photos of Livingston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Livingston archive →Livingston and its neighbors
Livingston is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Livingston | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Livingston | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 51 |
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 Livingston 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Livingston
Is Livingston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Livingston has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #504 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (47%) and hurricanes (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Livingston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 51 claims in Livingston since 1989, $1.8M in all, or 17.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Texas Spring Flooding (9).
Is Livingston 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 Polk County, 25% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Livingston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Livingston’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 Livingston?
By FEMA money that reached Livingston, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 1,836 households applied for aid, $7.3M approved, and $741K to the Town of Livingston for repairs. By flood claims, Texas Spring Flooding: 9 paid, $263K.
Is Livingston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (47%), and Livingston’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Livingston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Livingston’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.