Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in New Waverly as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Waverly gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then hurricanes (25%). Flood insurance has paid 6 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 New Waverly 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 New Waverly’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Waverly, and New Waverly’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Waverly’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $323K a year in losses across New Waverly: $180K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does New Waverly flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Waverly, from FEMA’s records: 13.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Texas Spring Flooding1 claim · $124K
New Waverly isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Walker County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Waverly
Disasters that paid out in New Waverly itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of New Waverly), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl684 households applied for aid$978K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding254 households applied for aid$973K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms142 households applied for aid$128K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey266 households applied for aid$292K aid approved$3K to the City of New Waverly for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
Show all 12
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding14 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike505 households applied for aid$308K aid approved$73K to the City of New Waverly for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita590 households applied for aid$770K aid approved$7K to the City of New Waverly for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$4K to the City of New Waverly for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding135 households applied for aid$367K aid approved
Walker County has had 31 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical 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 Walker County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of New Waverly after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Waverly archive →Get ready for what New Waverly 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 New Waverly
Is New Waverly at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Waverly has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and hurricanes (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Waverly flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in New Waverly since 1998, $324K in all, or 13.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Texas Spring Flooding (1).
Is New Waverly 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 Walker County, 26% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Waverly?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for New Waverly’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 New Waverly?
By FEMA money that reached New Waverly, Hurricane Beryl (2024): 684 households applied for aid, $978K approved. By flood claims, Texas Spring Flooding: 1 paid, $124K.
Is New Waverly at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and New Waverly’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Waverly.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Waverly’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.