On FEMA’s figures, Old River-Winfree faces more hazard damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Old River-Winfree gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hurricanes (35%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2008.
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 Old River-Winfree 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 Old River-Winfree’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Old River-Winfree, and Old River-Winfree’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 35% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Old River-Winfree’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $865K a year in losses across Old River-Winfree: $631K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Old River-Winfree flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Old River-Winfree, from FEMA’s records: 10.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike2 claims · $63K
- Hurricane Harvey2 claims · $193K
- Tropical Storm Imelda2 claims · $2K
Old River-Winfree is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Chambers County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Old River-Winfree
Disasters that paid out in Old River-Winfree itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Old River-Winfree), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl129 households applied for aid$178K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms11 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $2K
- 2017Hurricane Harvey58 households applied for aid$111K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $193K
- 2008Hurricane Ike333 households applied for aid$471K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $63K
- 2005Hurricane Rita2 households applied for aid$219 aid approved$9K to the City of Old River-Winfree for repairs
Show all 7
- 2005Hurricane Rita$1K to the City of Old River-Winfree for repairs
Chambers County has had 16 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.
Old photos of Old River-Winfree after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Old River-Winfree archive →Get ready for what Old River-Winfree 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.
- Old River-Winfree 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 Old River-Winfree
Is Old River-Winfree at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Old River-Winfree has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hurricanes (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Old River-Winfree flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Old River-Winfree since 2008, $322K in all, or 10.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (2).
Is Old River-Winfree 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 Chambers County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 22.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Old River-Winfree?
Old River-Winfree 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 Old River-Winfree?
By FEMA money that reached Old River-Winfree, Hurricane Ike (2008): 333 households applied for aid, $471K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 2 paid, $63K.
Is Old River-Winfree at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Old River-Winfree’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Old River-Winfree.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Old River-Winfree’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.