More hazard damage per building is expected in Nederland than in 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nederland gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #589 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (67%), then river and rain flooding (25%). Flood insurance has paid 979 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 Nederland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Nederland faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Nederland’s grade
Hurricanes are 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Nederland, and Nederland’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 25% (lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #589 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Nederland’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, Nederland has more expected damage per building than 92% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.9M a year in losses across Nederland: $5.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Nederland flood? Yes: 979 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Nederland, from FEMA’s records: 120.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey351 claims · $24.3M
- Hurricane Rita237 claims · $9.0M
- Hurricane Danielle64 claims · $228K
Nederland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Nederland
Disasters that paid out in Nederland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Nederland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl625 households applied for aid$409K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms286 households applied for aid$124K aid approved$52K to the City of Nederland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2020Tropical Storms Marco and Laura$142K to the City of Nederland for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura$185K to the City of Nederland for repairs
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda312 households applied for aid$838K aid approved28 flood claims paid for it, $713K
- 2017Hurricane Harvey3,502 households applied for aid$5.5M aid approved$614K to the City of Nederland for repairs351 flood claims paid for it, $24.3M
Show all 13
- 2008Hurricane Ike6,478 households applied for aid$744K aid approved$1.9M to the City of Nederland for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $198K
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$51K to the City of Nederland for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita11,051 households applied for aid$22.1M aid approved$1.4M to the City of Nederland for repairs237 flood claims paid for it, $9.0M
- 2005Hurricane Rita$51K to the City of Nederland for repairs237 flood claims paid for it, $9.0M
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$9K to the City of Nederland for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding13 households applied for aid$27K aid approved13 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Tx-tropical Storm Allison-06-06-2001$7K to the City of Nederland for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $96K
Jefferson County has had 24 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 Nederland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Nederland archive →Nederland and its neighbors
Nederland is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Arthur | C−more damage than 82% | hurricanes | 5,461 |
| Port Neches | C−more damage than 82% | hurricanes | 500 |
| Nederland | C−more damage than 83% | hurricanes | 979 |
| Central Gardens | C−more damage than 85% | hurricanes | — |
| Beauxart Gardens | Dmore damage than 86% | hurricanes | — |
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 Nederland faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Nederland
Is Nederland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Nederland has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #589 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (67%) and river and rain flooding (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Nederland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 979 claims in Nederland since 1979, $36.9M in all, or 120.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 117 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (351).
Is Nederland 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 Jefferson County, 22.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Nederland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Nederland’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 Nederland?
By FEMA money that reached Nederland, Hurricane Rita (2005): 11,051 households applied for aid, $22.1M approved, and $1.4M to the City of Nederland for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 351 paid, $24.3M.
Is Nederland at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Nederland’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Nederland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Nederland’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.