Photo: HIM Nguyen · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Willis’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Willis gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #63 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hurricanes (22%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1998.
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 Willis 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 Willis’ grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in Willis, and Willis’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 22% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
A #63 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Willis’ residents live in 5 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, Willis has less expected damage per building than 90% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Willis: $779K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Willis flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Willis, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey1 claim · $225K
- Tropical Storm Allison1 claim · $30K
Willis isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Montgomery County.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Willis
Disasters that paid out in Willis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Willis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl4,445 households applied for aid$4.0M aid approved$17K to the City of Willis for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding657 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms690 households applied for aid$377K aid approved
- 2019Tropical Storm Imelda23 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey1,036 households applied for aid$813K aid approved$5K to the City of Willis for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $225K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding80 households applied for aid$71K aid approved$5K to the City of Willis for repairs
Show all 12
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding130 households applied for aid$178K aid approved$47K to the City of Willis for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding43 households applied for aid$56K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike2,592 households applied for aid$680K aid approved$70K to the City of Willis for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita1,697 households applied for aid$918K aid approved$38K to the City of Willis for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding57 households applied for aid$169K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Tx-tropical Storm Allison-06-06-2001$13K to the City of Willis for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $30K
Montgomery County has had 28 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 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Montgomery County, 2000–2025.
Old photos of Willis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Willis archive →Willis and its neighbors
Willis 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willis | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Conroe | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 708 |
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 Willis 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 Willis
Is Willis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Willis has lower expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #63 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hurricanes (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Willis flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Willis since 1998, $353K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (1).
Is Willis 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 Montgomery County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 10.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Willis?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Willis’ 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 Willis?
By FEMA money that reached Willis, Hurricane Beryl (2024): 4,445 households applied for aid, $4.0M approved, and $17K to the City of Willis for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 1 paid, $225K.
Is Willis at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and Willis’ rate for it is lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Willis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Willis’ 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.