Photo: Grguy2011 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Pearland than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pearland gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #596 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then hurricanes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 3,078 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 Pearland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pearland 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
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 Pearland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pearland, and Pearland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 30% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #596 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pearland’s residents live in 37 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, Pearland has more expected damage per building than 93% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Pearland has higher expected damage per building than 77% (#309 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $59.7M, is the 208th largest of those 400.
Does Pearland flood? Yes: 3,078 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pearland, from FEMA’s records: 64.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey882 claims · $80.6M
- Tropical Storm Allison667 claims · $22.6M
- Tropical Storm Claudette241 claims · $3.7M
Pearland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Brazoria County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pearland
Disasters that paid out in Pearland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pearland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl19,054 households applied for aid$13.7M aid approved$3.9M to the City of Pearland for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms2,518 households applied for aid$828K aid approved$470K to the City of Pearland for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey9,448 households applied for aid$13.0M aid approved$5.0M to the City of Pearland for repairs882 flood claims paid for it, $80.6M
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$50K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding23 households applied for aid$31K aid approved
Show all 12
- 2008Hurricane Ike12,114 households applied for aid$3.5M aid approved$8.0M to the City of Pearland for repairs75 flood claims paid for it, $1.5M
- 2005Hurricane Rita1,889 households applied for aid$475K aid approved$206K to the City of Pearland for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$46K to the City of Pearland for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$15K to the City of Pearland for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding6 households applied for aid$26K aid approved19 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Tx-tropical Storm Allison-06-06-2001$239K to the City of Pearland for repairs667 flood claims paid for it, $22.6M
Its 2 counties have had 39 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, 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 its 2 counties, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Pearland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pearland archive →Pearland and its neighbors
Pearland is 2nd of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alvin | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 1,418 |
| Pearland | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 3,078 |
| Manvel | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 366 |
| Friendswood | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 4,386 |
| Houston | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 71,124 |
| Brookside Village | Dmore damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 383 |
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 Pearland 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.
- 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.
- Pearland residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Pearland
Is Pearland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pearland has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #596 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and hurricanes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pearland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3,078 claims in Pearland since 1979, $129M in all, or 64.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 400 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (882).
Is Pearland 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 Pearland?
Pearland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 Pearland?
By FEMA money that reached Pearland, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 9,448 households applied for aid, $13.0M approved, and $5.0M to the City of Pearland for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 882 paid, $80.6M.
Is Pearland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Pearland’s rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pearland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pearland’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.