Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Port Aransas than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Aransas gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #625 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (52%), then river and rain flooding (39%). Flood insurance has paid 2,248 claims here since 1978.
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 Port Aransas’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Port Aransas faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
Coastal 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 Port Aransas’ grade
Hurricanes are 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Port Aransas, and Port Aransas’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 6%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #625 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Port Aransas’ residents live in 3 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, Port Aransas has more expected damage per building than 97% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.7M a year in losses across Port Aransas: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Port Aransas flood? Yes: 2,248 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Port Aransas, from FEMA’s records: 418.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey2,001 claims · $139M
- Hurricane Allen99 claims · $272K
- The Heavy rains7 claims · $338K
Port Aransas isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Nueces County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Port Aransas
Disasters that paid out in Port Aransas itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Port Aransas), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl$74K to the City of Port Aransas for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms62 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$53K to the City of Port Aransas for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey2,671 households applied for aid$6.7M aid approved$99.2M to the City of Port Aransas for repairs2,001 flood claims paid for it, $139M
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding2 households applied for aid$795 aid approved10 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike$159K to the City of Port Aransas for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $65K
- 2008Hurricane Dolly$21K to the City of Port Aransas for repairs
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$68K to the City of Port Aransas for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding10 households applied for aid$17K aid approved25 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Bret$10K to the City of Port Aransas for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
Nueces County has had 27 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 Port Aransas after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Port Aransas archive →Port Aransas and its neighbors
Port Aransas is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corpus Christi | C−more damage than 84% | hurricanes | 2,623 |
| Port Aransas | Dmore damage than 89% | hurricanes | 2,248 |
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 Port Aransas 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Port Aransas
Is Port Aransas at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Aransas has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #625 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (52%) and river and rain flooding (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Port Aransas flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,248 claims in Port Aransas since 1978, $141M in all, or 418.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 33 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (2,001).
Is Port Aransas 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 Nueces County, 17.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Port Aransas?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Port Aransas’ 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 Port Aransas?
By FEMA money that reached Port Aransas, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 2,671 households applied for aid, $6.7M approved, and $99.2M to the City of Port Aransas for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 2,001 paid, $139M.
Is Port Aransas at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Port Aransas’ rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Port Aransas.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Port Aransas’ 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.