Storms, floods and disasters in Pine Forest
Pine Forest isn’t graded for hazard risk: Pine Forest has 519 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 42 claims here since 1987.
What Pine Forest 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.
Does Pine Forest flood? Sometimes: 42 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pine Forest, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Harvey16 claims · $2.6M
- Tropical Storm Imelda13 claims · $815K
- Hurricane Rita2 claims · $75K
Pine Forest isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pine Forest
Disasters that paid out in Pine Forest itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pine Forest), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Harvey4 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$284K to the City of Pine Forest for repairs16 flood claims paid for it, $2.6M
- 2008Hurricane Ike$5K to the City of Pine Forest for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$1K to the City of Pine Forest for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $75K
Orange County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Pine Forest after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pine Forest archive →Get ready for what Pine Forest 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Pine Forest
Does Pine Forest flood?
Flood insurance has paid 42 claims in Pine Forest since 1987, $3.5M in all. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (16).
Is Pine Forest 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 Orange County, 29.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Pine Forest?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pine Forest’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 Pine Forest?
By FEMA money that reached Pine Forest, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 4 households applied for aid, $18K approved, and $284K to the City of Pine Forest for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 16 paid, $2.6M.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pine Forest.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pine Forest’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.