Photo: Mike Fisher from Webster, TX, USA · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Nassau Bay than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nassau Bay gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #511 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then hurricanes (36%). Flood insurance has paid 1,192 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 Nassau Bay’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Nassau Bay 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
Coastal flooding
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 Nassau Bay’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Nassau Bay, and Nassau Bay’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 5%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #511 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Nassau Bay’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, Nassau Bay has more expected damage per building than 80% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Nassau Bay: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Nassau Bay flood? Yes: 1,192 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nassau Bay, from FEMA’s records: 405.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike334 claims · $28.1M
- Tropical Storm Claudette203 claims · $4.9M
- Hurricane Harvey166 claims · $15.5M
Nassau Bay is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Harris County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nassau Bay
Disasters that paid out in Nassau Bay itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Nassau Bay), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl29 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$383K to the City of Nassau Bay for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey52 households applied for aid$36K aid approved$1.4M to the City of Nassau Bay for repairs166 flood claims paid for it, $15.5M
- 2008Hurricane Ike5 households applied for aid$1.4M to the City of Nassau Bay for repairs334 flood claims paid for it, $28.1M
- 2005Hurricane Rita5 households applied for aid$74K to the City of Nassau Bay for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$32K to the City of Nassau Bay for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$3K to the City of Nassau Bay for repairs
Show all 7
- 2001Tx-tropical Storm Allison-06-06-2001$68K to the City of Nassau Bay for repairs95 flood claims paid for it, $1.9M
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 Nassau Bay after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nassau Bay archive →Nassau Bay and its neighbors
Nassau Bay is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webster | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 426 |
| Nassau Bay | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 1,192 |
| Pasadena | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 5,531 |
| League City | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 4,320 |
| Houston | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 71,124 |
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 Nassau Bay 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Nassau Bay residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Nassau Bay
Is Nassau Bay at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nassau Bay has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #511 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and hurricanes (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Nassau Bay flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,192 claims in Nassau Bay since 1979, $59.0M in all, or 405.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 171 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (334).
Is Nassau Bay 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 Nassau Bay?
Nassau Bay is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Nassau Bay?
By FEMA money that reached Nassau Bay, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 52 households applied for aid, $36K approved, and $1.4M to the City of Nassau Bay for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 334 paid, $28.1M.
Is Nassau Bay at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Nassau Bay’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nassau Bay.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nassau Bay’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.