On FEMA’s figures, Oyster Creek faces more hazard damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oyster Creek gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (36%), then coastal flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 91 claims here since 1979.
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 Oyster Creek’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Oyster Creek faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
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 Oyster Creek’s grade
Hurricanes are 36% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oyster Creek, and Oyster Creek’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 36%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Oyster Creek’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Oyster Creek: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oyster Creek flood? Sometimes: 91 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oyster Creek, from FEMA’s records: 137.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Claudette21 claims · $33K
- Hurricane Ike9 claims · $328K
- Hurricane Claudette4 claims · $56K
Oyster Creek isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brazoria County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oyster Creek
Disasters that paid out in Oyster Creek itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Oyster Creek), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl206 households applied for aid$334K aid approved$244K to the City of Oyster Creek for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms16 households applied for aid$19K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey160 households applied for aid$88K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $90K
- 2008Hurricane Ike153 households applied for aid$96K aid approved$164K to the City of Oyster Creek for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $328K
- 2005Hurricane Rita19 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$10K to the City of Oyster Creek for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$2K to the City of Oyster Creek for repairs
Show all 7
- 2003Hurricane Claudette4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved21 flood claims paid for it, $33K
Brazoria County has had 28 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.
Old photos of Oyster Creek after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oyster Creek archive →Get ready for what Oyster Creek 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 Oyster Creek
Is Oyster Creek at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oyster Creek has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (36%) and coastal flooding (36%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oyster Creek flood?
Flood insurance has paid 91 claims in Oyster Creek since 1979, $1.1M in all, or 137.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Claudette (21).
Is Oyster Creek 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 Brazoria County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 22.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oyster Creek?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oyster Creek’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 Oyster Creek?
By FEMA money that reached Oyster Creek, Hurricane Beryl (2024): 206 households applied for aid, $334K approved, and $244K to the City of Oyster Creek for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Claudette: 21 paid, $33K.
Is Oyster Creek at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (36%), and Oyster Creek’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oyster Creek.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oyster Creek’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.