FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Seabrook than in 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seabrook gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #492 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hurricanes (37%). Flood insurance has paid 2,458 claims here since 1978.
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 Seabrook’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Seabrook 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
Coastal 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 Seabrook’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Seabrook, and Seabrook’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 5%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #492 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Seabrook’s residents live in 3 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, Seabrook has more expected damage per building than 77% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.9M a year in losses across Seabrook: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Seabrook flood? Yes: 2,458 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Seabrook, from FEMA’s records: 381.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1,121 claims · $97.3M
- Hurricane Alicia278 claims · $5.8M
- Tropical Storm Claudette193 claims · $1.6M
Seabrook is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Harris County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Seabrook
Disasters that paid out in Seabrook itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Seabrook), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl2,974 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$525K to the City of Seabrook for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding113 households applied for aid$40K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms222 households applied for aid$58K aid approved$130K to the City of Seabrook for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Tropical Storms Marco and Laura$107K to the City of Seabrook for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda7 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey1,133 households applied for aid$622K aid approved$398K to the City of Seabrook for repairs124 flood claims paid for it, $5.8M
Show all 14
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding6 households applied for aid$8K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike4,575 households applied for aid$7.9M aid approved$4.5M to the City of Seabrook for repairs1,121 flood claims paid for it, $97.3M
- 2007Tropical Storm Erin1 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita1,292 households applied for aid$319K aid approved$55K to the City of Seabrook for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$48K to the City of Seabrook for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding1 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2001Tx-tropical Storm Allison-06-06-2001$27K to the City of Seabrook for repairs110 flood claims paid for it, $1.3M
Harris County has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe 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 Harris County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Seabrook after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Seabrook archive →Seabrook and its neighbors
Seabrook is 3rd of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kemah | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 1,167 |
| Clear Lake Shores | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 1,056 |
| Seabrook | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 2,458 |
| El Lago | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 402 |
| Pasadena | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 5,531 |
| League City | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 4,320 |
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 Seabrook 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Seabrook residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Seabrook
Is Seabrook at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seabrook has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #492 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hurricanes (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Seabrook flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,458 claims in Seabrook since 1978, $120M in all, or 381.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 167 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1,121).
Is Seabrook 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 Harris County, 48% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 16.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Seabrook?
Seabrook is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Seabrook?
By FEMA money that reached Seabrook, Hurricane Ike (2008): 4,575 households applied for aid, $7.9M approved, and $4.5M to the City of Seabrook for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1,121 paid, $97.3M.
Is Seabrook at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Seabrook’s rate for it is higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Seabrook.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Seabrook’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.