On FEMA’s figures, Sam Rayburn faces more hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sam Rayburn gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hurricanes (30%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Sam Rayburn 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 Sam Rayburn’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sam Rayburn, and Sam Rayburn’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 30% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sam Rayburn’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $732K a year in losses across Sam Rayburn: $546K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sam Rayburn flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Sam Rayburn. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Sam Rayburn isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jasper County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Sam Rayburn
Disasters that paid out in Sam Rayburn itself (aid to households or repair grants to Sam Rayburn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Hurricane Rita57 households applied for aid$50K aid approved
Jasper County has had 25 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Jasper County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Sam Rayburn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sam Rayburn archive →Get ready for what Sam Rayburn 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 Sam Rayburn
Is Sam Rayburn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sam Rayburn has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hurricanes (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Sam Rayburn 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 Jasper County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sam Rayburn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sam Rayburn’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 Sam Rayburn?
By FEMA money that reached Sam Rayburn, Hurricane Rita (2005): 57 households applied for aid, $50K approved.
Is Sam Rayburn at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Sam Rayburn’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sam Rayburn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sam Rayburn’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.