FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Silsbee as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Silsbee gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #377 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hurricanes (31%). Flood insurance has paid 104 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 Silsbee’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Silsbee 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 Silsbee’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Silsbee, and Silsbee’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #377 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Silsbee’s residents live in 2 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, Silsbee has more expected damage per building than 59% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Silsbee: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Silsbee flood? Yes: 104 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Silsbee, from FEMA’s records: 31.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Fall severe storms12 claims · $429K
- Hurricane Harvey12 claims · $563K
- Hurricane Rita11 claims · $759K
Silsbee isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hardin County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Silsbee
Disasters that paid out in Silsbee itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Silsbee), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding657 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$15K to the City of Silsbee for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms239 households applied for aid$114K aid approved
- 2020Tropical Storms Marco and Laura$27K to the City of Silsbee for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Harvey3,218 households applied for aid$4.8M aid approved$133K to the City of Silsbee for repairs12 flood claims paid for it, $563K
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding65 households applied for aid$175K aid approved13 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike3,815 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved$583K to the City of Silsbee for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Rita8,184 households applied for aid$17.9M aid approved$2.6M to the City of Silsbee for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $759K
- 2005Hurricane Rita$9K to the City of Silsbee for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $759K
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding246 households applied for aid$347K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Hardin 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.
Old photos of Silsbee after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Silsbee archive →Get ready for what Silsbee 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 Silsbee
Is Silsbee at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Silsbee has higher expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #377 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and hurricanes (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Silsbee flood?
Flood insurance has paid 104 claims in Silsbee since 1978, $2.7M in all, or 31.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 20 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Fall severe storms (12).
Is Silsbee 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 Hardin County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 12.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Silsbee?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Silsbee’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 Silsbee?
By FEMA money that reached Silsbee, Hurricane Rita (2005): 8,184 households applied for aid, $17.9M approved, and $2.6M to the City of Silsbee for repairs. By flood claims, Fall severe storms: 12 paid, $429K.
Is Silsbee at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Silsbee’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Silsbee.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Silsbee’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.