Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Yorktown’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Yorktown gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then hurricanes (39%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2014.
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 Yorktown 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 Yorktown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Yorktown, and Yorktown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 39% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Yorktown’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Yorktown: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Yorktown flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Yorktown, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Yorktown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: DeWitt County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Yorktown
Disasters that paid out in Yorktown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Yorktown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms46 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey132 households applied for aid$30K aid approved$12K to the City of Yorktown for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Claudette18 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$8K to the City of Yorktown for repairs
DeWitt County has had 17 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 Yorktown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Yorktown archive →Get ready for what Yorktown 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 Yorktown
Is Yorktown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Yorktown has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and hurricanes (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Yorktown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Yorktown since 2014, $172K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Yorktown 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 DeWitt County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Yorktown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Yorktown’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 Yorktown?
By FEMA money that reached Yorktown, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 132 households applied for aid, $30K approved, and $12K to the City of Yorktown for repairs.
Is Yorktown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Yorktown’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Yorktown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Yorktown’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.