Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Waller than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waller gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #198 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hurricanes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 39 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 Waller’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Waller 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 Waller’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Waller, and Waller’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 24% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #198 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Waller’s residents live in 4 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, Waller has less expected damage per building than 69% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $981K a year in losses across Waller: $530K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Waller flood? Sometimes: 39 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Waller, from FEMA’s records: 30.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Spring severe storms10 claims · $301K
- The Early summer severe storms5 claims · $33K
- Tropical Storm Paul3 claims · $29K
Waller isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Waller County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Waller
Disasters that paid out in Waller itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Waller), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl500 households applied for aid$329K aid approved$244K to the City of Waller for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding594 households applied for aid$829K aid approved$340K to the City of Waller for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms241 households applied for aid$184K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey341 households applied for aid$269K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $152K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding79 households applied for aid$193K aid approved$9K to the City of Waller for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding232 households applied for aid$873K aid approved$6K to the City of Waller for repairs
Show all 12
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2011Wildfires91 households applied for aid$247K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike246 households applied for aid$264K aid approved$39K to the City of Waller for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita14 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$9K to the City of Waller for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$19K to the City of Waller for repairs
- 1998Tx-flooding 10/18/98$7K to the City of Waller for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
Waller County has had 22 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Waller County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Waller after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Waller archive →Waller and its neighbors
Waller is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prairie View | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Waller | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 39 |
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 Waller 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 Waller
Is Waller at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Waller has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #198 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hurricanes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Waller flood?
Flood insurance has paid 39 claims in Waller since 1979, $786K in all, or 30.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Spring severe storms (10).
Is Waller 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 Waller County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 11.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Waller?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Waller’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 Waller?
By FEMA money that reached Waller, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 594 households applied for aid, $829K approved, and $340K to the City of Waller for repairs. By flood claims, Spring severe storms: 10 paid, $301K.
Is Waller at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Waller’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Waller.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Waller’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.