Photo: Ernest Mettendorf · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Needville as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Needville gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #269 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hurricanes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 37 claims here since 1998.
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 Needville 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 Needville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Needville, and Needville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 38% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
B #269 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Needville’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, Needville has less expected damage per building than 58% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Needville: $656K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Needville flood? Sometimes: 37 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Needville, from FEMA’s records: 29.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms7 claims · $185K
- Hurricane Harvey2 claims · $31K
- Tropical Storm Paul1 claim · $19K
Needville 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Needville
Disasters that paid out in Needville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Needville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl1,114 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms175 households applied for aid$151K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey610 households applied for aid$740K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $31K
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding41 households applied for aid$103K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike167 households applied for aid$180K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita31 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
Show all 7
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding2 households applied for aid$5K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Fort Bend County has had 21 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Fort Bend County, 2006–2006.
Old photos of Needville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Needville archive →Get ready for what Needville 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 Needville
Is Needville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Needville has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #269 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hurricanes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Needville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 37 claims in Needville since 1998, $1.5M in all, or 29.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (7).
Is Needville 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 Needville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Needville’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 Needville?
By FEMA money that reached Needville, Hurricane Beryl (2024): 1,114 households applied for aid, $1.6M approved. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 7 paid, $185K.
Is Needville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Needville’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Needville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Needville’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.