Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Premont’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Premont gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (64%), then river and rain flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2000.
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 Premont 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 Premont’s grade
Hurricanes are 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Premont, and Premont’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 26% (lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Premont’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Premont: $980K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Premont flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2000
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Premont, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Premont isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jim Wells County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Premont
Disasters that paid out in Premont itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Premont), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms69 households applied for aid$43K aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding170 households applied for aid$133K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding79 households applied for aid$40K aid approved$192K to the City of Premont for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Dolly$28K to the City of Premont for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding20 households applied for aid$49K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Bret$16K to the City of Premont for repairs
Jim Wells County has had 25 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 Premont after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Premont archive →Get ready for what Premont 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 Premont
Is Premont at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Premont has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (64%) and river and rain flooding (26%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Premont flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Premont since 2000, $30K in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Premont 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 Jim Wells County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Premont?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Premont’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 Premont?
By FEMA money that reached Premont, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2015): 79 households applied for aid, $40K approved, and $192K to the City of Premont for repairs.
Is Premont at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Premont’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Premont.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Premont’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.