On FEMA’s figures, Mont Belvieu faces more hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mont Belvieu gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #472 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hurricanes (35%). Flood insurance has paid 60 claims here since 1981.
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 Mont Belvieu 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
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 Mont Belvieu’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mont Belvieu, and Mont Belvieu’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 35% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C #472 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mont Belvieu’s residents live in 2 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, Mont Belvieu has more expected damage per building than 73% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Mont Belvieu: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mont Belvieu flood? Sometimes: 60 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mont Belvieu, from FEMA’s records: 19.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey42 claims · $4.5M
- Hurricane Ike3 claims · $46K
- Tropical Storm Imelda1 claim · $2K
Mont Belvieu isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chambers County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mont Belvieu
Disasters that paid out in Mont Belvieu itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mont Belvieu), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl345 households applied for aid$196K aid approved$104K to the City of Mont Belvieu for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms23 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$268K to the City of Mont Belvieu for repairs
- 2020Tropical Storms Marco and Laura$107K to the City of Mont Belvieu for repairs
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
- 2017Hurricane Harvey164 households applied for aid$451K aid approved$901K to the City of Mont Belvieu for repairs42 flood claims paid for it, $4.5M
- 2008Hurricane Ike216 households applied for aid$76K aid approved$245K to the City of Mont Belvieu for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $46K
Show all 8
- 2005Hurricane Rita414 households applied for aid$155K aid approved$113K to the City of Mont Belvieu for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$18K to the City of Mont Belvieu for repairs
Chambers County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Mont Belvieu after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mont Belvieu archive →Mont Belvieu and its neighbors
Mont Belvieu has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mont Belvieu | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 60 |
| Baytown | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 2,678 |
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 Mont Belvieu 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.
- 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 Mont Belvieu
Is Mont Belvieu at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mont Belvieu has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #472 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hurricanes (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mont Belvieu flood?
Flood insurance has paid 60 claims in Mont Belvieu since 1981, $4.7M in all, or 19.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (42).
Is Mont Belvieu 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 Chambers County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 22.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mont Belvieu?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mont Belvieu’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 Mont Belvieu?
By FEMA money that reached Mont Belvieu, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 164 households applied for aid, $451K approved, and $901K to the City of Mont Belvieu for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 42 paid, $4.5M.
Is Mont Belvieu at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Mont Belvieu’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mont Belvieu.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mont Belvieu’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.