Wunsche Bros. Saloon and Hotel · Photo: AggiePV · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Spring than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spring gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #466 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hurricanes (35%). Flood insurance has paid 316 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 Spring’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Spring 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 Spring’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Spring, and Spring’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 35% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C #466 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Spring’s residents live in 11 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, Spring has more expected damage per building than 73% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $20.5M a year in losses across Spring: $12.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Spring flood? Yes: 316 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Spring, from FEMA’s records: 13.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey195 claims · $35.3M
- Tropical Storm Imelda28 claims · $1.2M
- The Spring severe storms14 claims · $559K
Spring isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Harris County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Spring
Disasters that paid out in Spring itself (aid to households or repair grants to Spring), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl54,532 households applied for aid$39.1M aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding5,484 households applied for aid$2.6M aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms5,759 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda199 households applied for aid$350K aid approved28 flood claims paid for it, $1.2M
- 2017Hurricane Harvey16,865 households applied for aid$39.4M aid approved195 flood claims paid for it, $35.3M
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding586 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved
Show all 12
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding1,233 households applied for aid$3.0M aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding150 households applied for aid$62K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike20,440 households applied for aid$2.9M aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita1,427 households applied for aid$492K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding8 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
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 Spring after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Spring archive →Spring and its neighbors
Spring 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Cmore damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 316 |
| Houston | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 71,124 |
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 Spring 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 Spring
Is Spring at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spring has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #466 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hurricanes (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Spring flood?
Flood insurance has paid 316 claims in Spring since 1978, $38.4M in all, or 13.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (195).
Is Spring 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 Spring?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Spring’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 Spring?
By FEMA money that reached Spring, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 16,865 households applied for aid, $39.4M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 195 paid, $35.3M.
Is Spring at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Spring’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Spring.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Spring’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.