FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Shepherd as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shepherd gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 14 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 Shepherd 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
Tornadoes
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 Shepherd’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shepherd, and Shepherd’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 13%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shepherd’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Shepherd: $398K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shepherd flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shepherd, from FEMA’s records: 13.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey1 claim · $15K
- Tropical Storm Paul1 claim · $5K
- Hurricane Bonnie1 claim · $11K
Shepherd isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: San Jacinto County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shepherd
Disasters that paid out in Shepherd itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Shepherd), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl1,490 households applied for aid$2.6M aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding531 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved$46K to the City of Shepherd for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms251 households applied for aid$264K aid approved
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda17 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey977 households applied for aid$3.7M aid approved$94K to the City of Shepherd for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $15K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding35 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
Show all 11
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding120 households applied for aid$147K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike1,256 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$53K to the City of Shepherd for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita2,407 households applied for aid$3.0M aid approved$34K to the City of Shepherd for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$1K to the City of Shepherd for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding43 households applied for aid$134K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
San Jacinto County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, 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 San Jacinto County, 2025–2025.
Old photos of Shepherd after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shepherd archive →Get ready for what Shepherd 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.
- 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.
- 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 Shepherd
Is Shepherd at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shepherd has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shepherd flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Shepherd since 1979, $85K in all, or 13.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (1).
Is Shepherd 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 San Jacinto County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shepherd?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shepherd’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 Shepherd?
By FEMA money that reached Shepherd, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 977 households applied for aid, $3.7M approved, and $94K to the City of Shepherd for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 1 paid, $15K.
Is Shepherd at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Shepherd’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shepherd.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shepherd’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.