Storms, floods and disasters in Pineland
Pineland isn’t graded for hazard risk: Pineland has 817 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more.
What Pineland 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
Strong wind
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.
Does Pineland flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Pineland. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Pineland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Sabine County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pineland
Disasters that paid out in Pineland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pineland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding54 households applied for aid$104K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms23 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey73 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$10K to the City of Pineland for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Ike94 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$4K to the City of Pineland for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita586 households applied for aid$440K aid approved$32K to the City of Pineland for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$7K to the City of Pineland for repairs
Sabine County has had 19 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 Pineland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pineland archive →Get ready for what Pineland 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Pineland
Is Pineland 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 Sabine County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Pineland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pineland’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 Pineland?
By FEMA money that reached Pineland, Hurricane Rita (2005): 586 households applied for aid, $440K approved, and $32K to the City of Pineland for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pineland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pineland’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.