Photo: Judahdavis · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Mission Bend than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mission Bend gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns, #636 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%), then hurricanes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 263 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 Mission Bend’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Mission Bend 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 Mission Bend’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mission Bend, and Mission Bend’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 16% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
D #636 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mission Bend’s residents live in 8 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, Mission Bend has more expected damage per building than 99% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $15.5M a year in losses across Mission Bend: $10.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mission Bend flood? Yes: 263 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mission Bend, from FEMA’s records: 23.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey40 claims · $619K
- The Spring Storm13 claims · $116K
- Hurricane Ike9 claims · $82K
Mission Bend isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fort Bend County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mission Bend
Disasters that paid out in Mission Bend itself (aid to households or repair grants to Mission Bend), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey2 households applied for aid$500 aid approved40 flood claims paid for it, $619K
Its 2 counties have had 35 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 2 counties, 2006–2011.
Old photos of Mission Bend after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mission Bend archive →Mission Bend and its neighbors
Mission Bend is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 71,124 |
| Four Corners | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 35 |
| Mission Bend | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 263 |
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 Mission Bend 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 Mission Bend
Is Mission Bend at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mission Bend has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #636 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mission Bend flood?
Flood insurance has paid 263 claims in Mission Bend since 1979, $5.4M in all, or 23.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (40).
Is Mission Bend 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 Fort Bend County, 42% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 15.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mission Bend?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mission Bend’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 Mission Bend?
By FEMA money that reached Mission Bend, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 1 households applied for aid, $2K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 40 paid, $619K.
Is Mission Bend at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Mission Bend’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mission Bend.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mission Bend’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.