Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Richmond’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richmond gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #412 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then hurricanes (31%). Flood insurance has paid 148 claims here since 1981.
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 Richmond’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Richmond 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
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 Richmond’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Richmond, and Richmond’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 31% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #412 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Richmond’s residents live in 6 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, Richmond has more expected damage per building than 64% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across Richmond: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Richmond flood? Yes: 148 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Richmond, from FEMA’s records: 29.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey39 claims · $2.1M
- The Early summer storms15 claims · $230K
- The Early summer severe storms9 claims · $611K
Richmond isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fort Bend County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Richmond
Disasters that paid out in Richmond itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Richmond), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl26,398 households applied for aid$18.1M aid approved$198K to the City of Richmond for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms3,785 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$51K to the City of Richmond for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Harvey12,343 households applied for aid$24.7M aid approved$573K to the City of Richmond for repairs39 flood claims paid for it, $2.1M
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding387 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$139K to the City of Richmond for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding160 households applied for aid$59K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding119 households applied for aid$237K aid approved17 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2008Hurricane Ike2,332 households applied for aid$179K aid approved$97K to the City of Richmond for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita228 households applied for aid$46K aid approved$43K to the City of Richmond for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$8K to the City of Richmond for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Tx-tropical Storm Allison-06-06-2001$7K to the City of Richmond for repairs
Fort Bend County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Fort Bend County, 2006–2006.
Old photos of Richmond after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Richmond archive →Richmond and its neighbors
Richmond is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosenberg | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 89 |
| Sugar Land | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 241 |
| Richmond | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 148 |
| Pecan Grove | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 94 |
| Cumings | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Richmond 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.
- 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 Richmond
Is Richmond at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richmond has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #412 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and hurricanes (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Richmond flood?
Flood insurance has paid 148 claims in Richmond since 1981, $4.4M in all, or 29.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 27 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (39).
Is Richmond 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 Fort Bend County, 42% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 15.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Richmond?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Richmond’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 Richmond?
By FEMA money that reached Richmond, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 12,343 households applied for aid, $24.7M approved, and $573K to the City of Richmond for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 39 paid, $2.1M.
Is Richmond at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Richmond’s rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Richmond.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Richmond’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.