FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Odem than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Odem gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (61%), then river and rain flooding (33%). Flood insurance has paid 39 claims here since 1980.
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 Odem 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
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 Odem’s grade
Hurricanes are 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Odem, and Odem’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 33% (lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Odem’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Odem: $568K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Odem flood? Sometimes: 39 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Odem, from FEMA’s records: 47.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Allen3 claims · $2K
Odem isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: San Patricio County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Odem
Disasters that paid out in Odem itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Odem), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms171 households applied for aid$113K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey703 households applied for aid$249K aid approved$22K to the City of Odem for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding57 households applied for aid$57K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Claudette23 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding105 households applied for aid$240K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Bret$7K to the City of Odem for repairs
San Patricio County has had 27 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Patricio County, 2025–2025.
Old photos of Odem after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Odem archive →Get ready for what Odem 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.
- 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 Odem
Is Odem at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Odem has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (61%) and river and rain flooding (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Odem flood?
Flood insurance has paid 39 claims in Odem since 1980, $199K in all, or 47.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Allen (3).
Is Odem 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 San Patricio County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Odem?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Odem’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 Odem?
By FEMA money that reached Odem, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 703 households applied for aid, $249K approved, and $22K to the City of Odem for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Allen: 3 paid, $2K.
Is Odem at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Odem’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Odem.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Odem’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.