FEMA puts Manvel’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manvel gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #607 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then hurricanes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 366 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 Manvel’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Manvel 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 Manvel’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Manvel, and Manvel’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 28% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
D #607 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Manvel’s residents live in 9 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, Manvel has more expected damage per building than 95% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Manvel: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Manvel flood? Yes: 366 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Manvel, from FEMA’s records: 69.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey138 claims · $10.9M
- Hurricane Chantel58 claims · $763K
- Tropical Storm Claudette44 claims · $605K
Manvel isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brazoria County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Manvel
Disasters that paid out in Manvel itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Manvel), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl5,037 households applied for aid$4.3M aid approved$715K to the City of Manvel for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms475 households applied for aid$124K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey1,651 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$136K to the City of Manvel for repairs138 flood claims paid for it, $10.9M
- 2008Hurricane Ike1,447 households applied for aid$752K aid approved$679K to the City of Manvel for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita232 households applied for aid$56K aid approved$23K to the City of Manvel for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$9K to the City of Manvel for repairs
Brazoria County has had 28 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 Manvel after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Manvel archive →Manvel and its neighbors
Manvel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alvin | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 1,418 |
| Iowa Colony | C−more damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 57 |
| Pearland | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 3,078 |
| Manvel | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 366 |
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 Manvel 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 Manvel
Is Manvel at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Manvel has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #607 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and hurricanes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Manvel flood?
Flood insurance has paid 366 claims in Manvel since 1979, $14.4M in all, or 69.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 33 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (138).
Is Manvel 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 Brazoria County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 22.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Manvel?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Manvel’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 Manvel?
By FEMA money that reached Manvel, Hurricane Beryl (2024): 5,037 households applied for aid, $4.3M approved, and $715K to the City of Manvel for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 138 paid, $10.9M.
Is Manvel at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Manvel’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Manvel.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Manvel’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.