Walker House · Photo: Jim Evans · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Shoreacres faces more hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shoreacres gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then hurricanes (31%). Flood insurance has paid 917 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 Shoreacres’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Shoreacres 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 Shoreacres’ grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shoreacres, and Shoreacres’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 4%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shoreacres’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $721K a year in losses across Shoreacres: $419K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shoreacres flood? Yes: 917 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shoreacres, from FEMA’s records: 1,493.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike443 claims · $45.5M
- Hurricane Alicia164 claims · $3.8M
- Tropical Storm Claudette116 claims · $2.1M
Shoreacres is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Harris County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shoreacres
Disasters that paid out in Shoreacres itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Shoreacres), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl122 households applied for aid$84K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey74 households applied for aid$135K aid approved69 flood claims paid for it, $4.7M
- 2008Hurricane Ike406 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$2.2M to the City of Shoreacres for repairs443 flood claims paid for it, $45.5M
- 2005Hurricane Rita54 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$21K to the City of Shoreacres for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Shoreacres after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shoreacres archive →Shoreacres and its neighbors
Shoreacres has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shoreacres | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 917 |
| La Porte | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 2,498 |
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 Shoreacres 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.
- Shoreacres 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 Shoreacres
Is Shoreacres at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shoreacres has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and hurricanes (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shoreacres flood?
Flood insurance has paid 917 claims in Shoreacres since 1978, $58.0M in all, or 1,493.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 108 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (443).
Is Shoreacres 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 Shoreacres?
Shoreacres 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 Shoreacres?
By FEMA money that reached Shoreacres, Hurricane Ike (2008): 406 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved, and $2.2M to the City of Shoreacres for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 443 paid, $45.5M.
Is Shoreacres at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Shoreacres’ rate for it is higher than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shoreacres.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shoreacres’ 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.