Photo: Vasiliymeshko · CC BY 4.0Odessa’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Odessa gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #300 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then hail (36%). Flood insurance has paid 110 claims here since 1982.
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 Odessa’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Odessa 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
Hail
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 Odessa’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Odessa, and Odessa’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 36%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #300 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Odessa’s residents live in 26 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, Odessa has less expected damage per building than 53% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Odessa has lower expected damage per building than 63% (#147 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $30.8M, is the 350th largest of those 400.
Does Odessa flood? Yes: 110 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Odessa, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer severe storms1 claim · $374
Odessa is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Ector County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Odessa
Disasters that paid out in Odessa itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Odessa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms660 households applied for aid$444K aid approved$29K to the City of Odessa for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$155K to the City of Odessa for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Its 2 counties have had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 8 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 2 counties, 2008–2011.
Old photos of Odessa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Odessa archive →Odessa and its neighbors
Odessa has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odessa | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 110 |
| West Odessa | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
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 Odessa 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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.
- Odessa residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Odessa
Is Odessa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Odessa has lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #300 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and hail (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Odessa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 110 claims in Odessa since 1982, $1.8M in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 16 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer severe storms (1).
Is Odessa 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 Ector County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Odessa?
Odessa is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Odessa?
By FEMA money that reached Odessa, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 660 households applied for aid, $444K approved, and $29K to the City of Odessa for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer severe storms: 1 paid, $374.
Is Odessa at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Odessa’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Odessa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Odessa’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.