FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Richwood than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richwood gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #555 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hurricanes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 251 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 Richwood’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Richwood 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 Richwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Richwood, and Richwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 38%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #555 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Richwood’s residents live in 4 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, Richwood has more expected damage per building than 86% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Richwood: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Richwood flood? Yes: 251 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Richwood, from FEMA’s records: 120.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey156 claims · $18.0M
- Tropical Storm Claudette11 claims · $16K
- Tropical Storm Paul6 claims · $98K
Richwood isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brazoria County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Richwood
Disasters that paid out in Richwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Richwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl1,038 households applied for aid$811K aid approved$912K to the City of Richwood for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms51 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$22K to the City of Richwood for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey966 households applied for aid$3.2M aid approved$241K to the City of Richwood for repairs156 flood claims paid for it, $18.0M
- 2008Hurricane Ike600 households applied for aid$67K aid approved$242K to the City of Richwood for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Brazoria County has had 28 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 Richwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Richwood archive →Richwood and its neighbors
Richwood is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clute | C+more damage than 62% | hurricanes | 270 |
| Lake Jackson | Cmore damage than 66% | hurricanes | 331 |
| Richwood | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 251 |
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 Richwood 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 Richwood
Is Richwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Richwood has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #555 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hurricanes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Richwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 251 claims in Richwood since 1979, $18.8M in all, or 120.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (156).
Is Richwood 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 Brazoria County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 22.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Richwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Richwood’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 Richwood?
By FEMA money that reached Richwood, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 966 households applied for aid, $3.2M approved, and $241K to the City of Richwood for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 156 paid, $18.0M.
Is Richwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Richwood’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Richwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Richwood’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.