FEMA puts Port Neches’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Neches gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #575 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (68%), then river and rain flooding (25%). Flood insurance has paid 500 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 Port Neches’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Port Neches 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
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 Neches’ grade
Hurricanes are 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Port Neches, and Port Neches’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 25% (lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #575 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Port Neches’ 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 Neches has more expected damage per building than 90% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.1M a year in losses across Port Neches: $4.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Port Neches flood? Yes: 500 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Port Neches, from FEMA’s records: 79.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey244 claims · $19.9M
- Hurricane Rita81 claims · $2.0M
- Hurricane Ike24 claims · $1.2M
Port Neches isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jefferson County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Port Neches
Disasters that paid out in Port Neches itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Port Neches), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl264 households applied for aid$162K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms137 households applied for aid$77K aid approved$44K to the City of Port Neches for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura$265K to the City of Port Neches for repairs
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda40 households applied for aid$27K aid approved5 flood claims paid for it, $140K
- 2017Hurricane Harvey1,667 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$441K to the City of Port Neches for repairs244 flood claims paid for it, $19.9M
- 2008Hurricane Ike3,814 households applied for aid$547K aid approved$1.5M to the City of Port Neches for repairs24 flood claims paid for it, $1.2M
Show all 11
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$41K to the City of Port Neches for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita6,666 households applied for aid$14.0M aid approved$1.8M to the City of Port Neches for repairs81 flood claims paid for it, $2.0M
- 2005Hurricane Rita$27K to the City of Port Neches for repairs81 flood claims paid for it, $2.0M
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$12K to the City of Port Neches for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding3 households applied for aid$8K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
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 Neches after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Port Neches archive →Port Neches and its neighbors
Port Neches is 3rd of the 4 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 |
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 Neches 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.
- 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 Neches
Is Port Neches at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Port Neches has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #575 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (68%) and river and rain flooding (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Port Neches flood?
Flood insurance has paid 500 claims in Port Neches since 1979, $24.2M in all, or 79.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 46 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (244).
Is Port Neches 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 Neches?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Port Neches’ 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 Neches?
By FEMA money that reached Port Neches, Hurricane Rita (2005): 6,666 households applied for aid, $14.0M approved, and $1.8M to the City of Port Neches for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 244 paid, $19.9M.
Is Port Neches at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Port Neches’ rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Port Neches.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Port Neches’ 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.