Photo: Kmiec2015 · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Sweeny than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sweeny gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #555 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then hurricanes (30%). Flood insurance has paid 136 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 stands out about Sweeny’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sweeny 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 Sweeny’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sweeny, and Sweeny’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 30% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #555 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Sweeny’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Sweeny has more expected damage per building than 86% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Sweeny: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sweeny flood? Yes: 136 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sweeny, from FEMA’s records: 83.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Claudette8 claims · $56K
- Hurricane Harvey6 claims · $297K
- Hurricane Beryl2 claims · $53K
Sweeny isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brazoria County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sweeny
Disasters that paid out in Sweeny itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sweeny), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl1,440 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$256K to the City of Sweeny for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $53K
- 2021Severe Winter Storms145 households applied for aid$143K aid approved26 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey1,946 households applied for aid$3.1M aid approved$358K to the City of Sweeny for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $297K
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike533 households applied for aid$387K aid approved$147K to the City of Sweeny for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita200 households applied for aid$69K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2003Hurricane Claudette38 households applied for aid$63K aid approved$10K to the City of Sweeny for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $56K
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding3 households applied for aid$10K aid approved53 flood claims paid that year
Brazoria County has had 28 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Sweeny after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sweeny archive →Get ready for what Sweeny 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Sweeny
Is Sweeny at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sweeny has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #555 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and hurricanes (30%). 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 Sweeny flood?
Flood insurance has paid 136 claims in Sweeny since 1979, $3.3M in all, or 83.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Claudette (8).
Is Sweeny 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 Brazoria County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 22.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sweeny?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sweeny’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 Sweeny?
By FEMA money that reached Sweeny, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 1,946 households applied for aid, $3.1M approved, and $358K to the City of Sweeny for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Claudette: 8 paid, $56K.
Is Sweeny at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Sweeny’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sweeny.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sweeny’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.