FEMA puts Somerville’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Somerville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1994.
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 Somerville 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 Somerville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Somerville, and Somerville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
A− lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Somerville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $459K a year in losses across Somerville: $309K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Somerville flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Somerville, from FEMA’s records: 28.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey3 claims · $370K
- The Early summer severe storms2 claims · $67K
Somerville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Burleson County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Somerville
Disasters that paid out in Somerville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Somerville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms136 households applied for aid$113K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey$6K to the City of Somerville for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $370K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding174 households applied for aid$231K aid approved$122K to the City of Somerville for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding$39K to the City of Somerville for repairs
Burleson County has had 17 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 Somerville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Somerville archive →Get ready for what Somerville 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 Somerville
Is Somerville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Somerville has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hurricanes (10%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Somerville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Somerville since 1994, $506K in all, or 28.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (3).
Is Somerville 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 Burleson County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Somerville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Somerville’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 Somerville?
By FEMA money that reached Somerville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 174 households applied for aid, $231K approved, and $122K to the City of Somerville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 3 paid, $370K.
Is Somerville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Somerville’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Somerville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Somerville’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.