Photo: Carol M. Highsmith · Public domainFEMA puts Port Arthur’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Arthur gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #572 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (68%), then river and rain flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 5,461 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 Arthur’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Port Arthur 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
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.
What’s behind Port Arthur’s grade
Hurricanes are 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Port Arthur, and Port Arthur’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #572 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Port Arthur’s residents live in 26 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 Arthur has more expected damage per building than 89% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $27.8M a year in losses across Port Arthur: $15.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Port Arthur flood? Yes: 5,461 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Port Arthur, from FEMA’s records: 213.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey2,960 claims · $388M
- Hurricane Danielle520 claims · $2.4M
- Hurricane Ike453 claims · $29.1M
Port Arthur is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Port Arthur
Disasters that paid out in Port Arthur itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Port Arthur), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl5,190 households applied for aid$4.3M aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms2,290 households applied for aid$821K aid approved$160K to the City of Port Arthur for repairs19 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Hurricane Laura$1.2M to the City of Port Arthur for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda229 households applied for aid$125K aid approved58 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey20,922 households applied for aid$94.9M aid approved$20.2M to the City of Port Arthur for repairs2,960 flood claims paid for it, $388M
- 2008Hurricane Ike19,162 households applied for aid$7.0M aid approved$12.2M to the City of Port Arthur for repairs453 flood claims paid for it, $29.1M
Show all 14
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$130K to the City of Port Arthur for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita31,636 households applied for aid$72.3M aid approved$10.4M to the City of Port Arthur for repairs446 flood claims paid for it, $14.5M
- 2005Hurricane Rita8 households applied for aid$10K aid approved446 flood claims paid for it, $14.5M
- 2005Hurricane Rita$210K to the City of Port Arthur for repairs446 flood claims paid for it, $14.5M
- 2005Hurricane Katrina2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$141K to the City of Port Arthur for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding927 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved100 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Tx-tropical Storm Allison-06-06-2001$5K to the City of Port Arthur for repairs61 flood claims paid for it, $272K
Jefferson County has had 24 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 Arthur after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Port Arthur archive →Port Arthur and its neighbors
Port Arthur is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groves | C−more damage than 80% | hurricanes | 1,325 |
| Port Arthur | C−more damage than 82% | hurricanes | 5,461 |
| Port Neches | C−more damage than 82% | hurricanes | 500 |
| Nederland | C−more damage than 83% | hurricanes | 979 |
| Beauxart Gardens | Dmore damage than 86% | hurricanes | — |
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 Arthur 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.
- 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.
- Port Arthur residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Port Arthur
Is Port Arthur at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Arthur has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #572 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (68%) and river and rain flooding (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Port Arthur flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5,461 claims in Port Arthur since 1978, $447M in all, or 213.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 98% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 478 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (2,960).
Is Port Arthur 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 Jefferson County, 22.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Port Arthur?
Port Arthur is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Port Arthur?
By FEMA money that reached Port Arthur, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 20,922 households applied for aid, $94.9M approved, and $20.2M to the City of Port Arthur for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 2,960 paid, $388M.
Is Port Arthur at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Port Arthur’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Port Arthur.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Port Arthur’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.