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B−Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Tomball · FEMA

On FEMA’s figures, Tomball faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tomball gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #355 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hurricanes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 129 claims here since 1983.

River and rain flooding 54%Hurricanes 38%Tornadoes 6%

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

more than 55%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#355 of 642 in Texas
Hazard risk
B−#355 of 642
in Texas · higher than 55% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
54% of expected building damage
Flood claims
129
paid since 1983 · $4.1M
Flooded more than once
16
properties · 6 “severe repetitive loss”
Disasters paid out here
12
of 34 declared for Harris County

What stands out about Tomball’s natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

129 paid flood claims since 1983$4.1M in all; 16 properties flooded more than once. More per home than 86% of U.S. towns.Moved out of harm’s way4 flood-prone properties bought out and cleared with FEMA grants.Remembers 201625 flood claims were paid for 2016 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What Tomball 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

54%of expected building damage
About average · lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 5 times a year in the area

Hurricanes

38%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 6 years in the area

Tornadoes

6%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts
Smaller shares here
 Strong wind Earthquakes Ice storms Hail Wildfire Cold waves Winter storms Heat waves Landslides Lightning
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity
People, not buildings.Counting harm to people as well as buildings, FEMA’s model puts tornadoes at 20% of Tomball’s expected losses. Tornadoes do little damage to buildings (6.2%), so they aren’t part of the grade.

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Tomball’s grade

River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tomball, and Tomball’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 38% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).

Where Tomball sits
Tomball
Least damageMiddleMost damage

B− #355 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Tomball’s residents live in 7 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding54%Hurricanes38%Tornadoes6%Everything else2%

The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Tomball has more expected damage per building than 55% of Texas towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.9M a year in losses across Tomball: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

Recent disaster.FEMA’s model looks at expected damage to the buildings standing today. After Hurricane Beryl in 2024, FEMA took 10,407 aid registrations from Tomball addresses (the town has 5,565 homes).
A firm figure. It combines 7 census tracts by where Tomball’s residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Tomball flood? Yes: 129 flood claims since 1983

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tomball, from FEMA’s records: 23.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1983: 1 claim1984: 0 claims1985: 5 claims1986: 0 claims1987: 6 claims1988: 0 claims1989: 5 claims1990: 0 claims1991: 2 claims1992: 3 claims1993: 0 claims1994: 4 claims1995: 0 claims1996: 1 claim1997: 5 claims1998: 11 claims1999: 1 claim2000: 3 claims2001: 10 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 0 claims2004: 0 claims2005: 0 claims2006: 9 claims2007: 0 claims2008: 15 claims2009: 1 claim2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 1 claim2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 25 claims2017: 9 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 1 claim2020: 0 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 11 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims199820082016
19832026
Biggest named events
  • The Spring severe storms22 claims · $1.0M
  • Hurricane Ike15 claims · $386K
  • Tropical Storm Allison12 claims · $283K
129
paid claims since 1983
$4.1M
paid to owners
16
homes flooded more than once
$32K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (6)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Tomball 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.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
4flood-prone properties bought out and cleared
Disasters

12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tomball

Disasters that paid out in Tomball itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Tomball), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2024Hurricane Beryl10,407 households applied for aid$6.9M aid approved$121K to the City of Tomball for repairs
  2. 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding1,861 households applied for aid$567K aid approved
  3. 2021Severe Winter Storms1,482 households applied for aid$559K aid approved$48K to the City of Tomball for repairs
  4. 2019Tropical Storm Imelda14 households applied for aid$8K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
  5. 2017Hurricane Harvey3,027 households applied for aid$4.8M aid approved$410K to the City of Tomball for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $288K
  6. 2016Severe Storms and Flooding78 households applied for aid$244K aid approved
Show all 12
  1. 2016Severe Storms and Flooding365 households applied for aid$846K aid approved
  2. 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding45 households applied for aid$61K aid approved
  3. 2008Hurricane Ike4,074 households applied for aid$824K aid approved$545K to the City of Tomball for repairs15 flood claims paid for it, $386K
  4. 2005Hurricane Rita178 households applied for aid$59K aid approved$34K to the City of Tomball for repairs
  5. 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$11K to the City of Tomball for repairs
  6. 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding12 households applied for aid$34K aid approved
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in TomballHarris County only

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.

Were you here?

Old photos of Tomball after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Tomball archive →
Next door

Tomball and its neighbors

Tomball has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.

Houston: hazard risk DHoustonTomball
Lowest fifthSecondMiddleFourthHighest fifth
TownHazard riskMostly (buildings)Flood claims
TomballB−more damage than 55%river and rain flooding129
HoustonDmore damage than 87%river and rain flooding71,124

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.

Be ready

Get ready for what Tomball faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hurricane season
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Tomball

Is Tomball at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tomball has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #355 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and hurricanes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Tomball flood?

Flood insurance has paid 129 claims in Tomball since 1983, $4.1M in all, or 23.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 16 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Spring severe storms (22).

Is Tomball 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 Tomball?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tomball’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 Tomball?

By FEMA money that reached Tomball, Hurricane Beryl (2024): 10,407 households applied for aid, $6.9M approved, and $121K to the City of Tomball for repairs. By flood claims, Spring severe storms: 22 paid, $1.0M.

Is Tomball at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Tomball’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tomball.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tomball’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.