Photo: Stedil · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Roman Forest than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roman Forest gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 78 claims here since 1989.
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 Roman Forest’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Roman Forest 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
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 Roman Forest’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Roman Forest, and Roman Forest’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Roman Forest’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $672K a year in losses across Roman Forest: $376K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Roman Forest flood? Sometimes: 78 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Roman Forest, from FEMA’s records: 86.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Imelda26 claims · $2.1M
- The Spring severe storms10 claims · $383K
- Hurricane Harvey6 claims · $794K
Roman Forest isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Montgomery County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Roman Forest
Disasters that paid out in Roman Forest itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Roman Forest), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl109 households applied for aid$64K aid approved$85K to the City of Roman Forest for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$342K to the City of Roman Forest for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$23K to the City of Roman Forest for repairs
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved26 flood claims paid for it, $2.1M
- 2017Hurricane Harvey6 households applied for aid$32K aid approved$638K to the City of Roman Forest for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $794K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$301K to the City of Roman Forest for repairs
Show all 9
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$945K to the City of Roman Forest for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Ike4 households applied for aid$170 aid approved$26K to the City of Roman Forest for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita$14K to the City of Roman Forest for repairs
Montgomery County has had 28 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Montgomery County, 2000–2025.
Old photos of Roman Forest after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Roman Forest archive →Roman Forest and its neighbors
Roman Forest has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roman Forest | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 78 |
| Patton Village | Dmore damage than 88% | river and rain flooding | 97 |
| Woodbranch | Dmore damage than 89% | river and rain flooding | 214 |
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 Roman Forest 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Roman Forest
Is Roman Forest at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roman Forest has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Roman Forest flood?
Flood insurance has paid 78 claims in Roman Forest since 1989, $4.0M in all, or 86.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 18 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Imelda (26).
Is Roman Forest 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 Montgomery County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 10.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Roman Forest?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Roman Forest’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 Roman Forest?
By FEMA money that reached Roman Forest, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 1 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $945K to the City of Roman Forest for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Imelda: 26 paid, $2.1M.
Is Roman Forest at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Roman Forest’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Roman Forest.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Roman Forest’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.