FloodFireCheck

Does Braeswood flood?

Braeswood, Houston, TX · ZIP codes 77025, 77030 and 77005: the ZIP codes on most of the flood insurance claims counted here. ZIP codes do not follow neighborhood lines.

Yes. Insured properties in and around Braeswood have filed flood claims. About 22% of Braeswood’s mapped area is inside FEMA’s Special Flood Hazard Area; the rest is in moderate or minimal-hazard Zone X. NFIP flood insurance records list 1,582 claims from the Census block groups that cover Braeswood, from 1978 through 2024. 1,263 of them received a payment, totaling $110,783,514 (not adjusted for inflation). The busiest years were 2017 (531 claims), 2001 (526 claims), 2015 (107 claims).

What this page counts as Braeswood

We could not find an openly licensed official boundary for Braeswood, so this page uses a census-based area. For this page, Braeswood means the 2010 Census block groups whose center lies within 2.4 km (1.5 miles) of the U.S. Geological Survey (GNIS) map point for Braeswood (feature 2471708), each block group going to the nearest of the places we cover. Every number below is for exactly those block groups (listed in “How these numbers were made”), so the edges are approximate and may include or leave out a few blocks people would call Braeswood. Sources: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb, 2010 Census Block Groups and U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) domestic names.

Past claims do not predict future flooding, and a neighborhood figure cannot tell you about one building. Look up the exact address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and get flood insurance quotes before you sign a lease or a contract.

22%
of the area in FEMA high-risk zones (SFHA)
1,582
NFIP claims on record, 1978–2024
$110,783,514
paid on 1,263 claims (nominal dollars)
660
claims with a loss year of 2015 or later

Check a specific address in Braeswood

Neighborhood figures are averages. Our address check looks up the FEMA flood zone at one address, from the same public maps: check if your address is in a flood zone.

Flood zones street by street in Braeswood

The named streets in Braeswood, longest first, with how much of each street’s length inside Braeswood lies in FEMA’s high-risk flood zones (the Special Flood Hazard Area, zones A and V). Length is the part inside Braeswood; the main zone is the FEMA zone covering most of that length. A street can cross several zones, so the zone at one address can differ from the street’s main zone: check the address above for that. 135 shorter streets are not listed.

StreetLengthIn high-risk zonesMain zone
Main St4.1 mi13%X (shaded, 0.2% annual chance) (74%)
Old Spanish Trl3.8 mi0.0%X (shaded, 0.2% annual chance) (80%)
Fannin St2.8 mi7.8%X (shaded, 0.2% annual chance) (68%)
Kirby Dr2.7 mi37%X (shaded, 0.2% annual chance) (39%)
Greenbriar St2.6 mi3.5%X (shaded, 0.2% annual chance) (96%)
S Braeswood Blvd2.3 mi90%AE (90%)
N Braeswood Blvd2.3 mi94%AE (94%)
Buffalo Speedway1.8 mi83%AE (83%)
W Holcombe Blvd1.7 mi52%AE (52%)
Cambridge St1.5 mi3.9%X (unshaded, minimal) (60%)
University Blvd1.5 mi0.0%X (shaded, 0.2% annual chance) (100%)
Glen Haven Blvd1.4 mi60%AE (60%)
Holcombe Blvd1.3 mi61%AE (61%)
Bellefontaine St1.2 mi57%AE (57%)
Sunset Blvd1.2 mi0.0%X (shaded, 0.2% annual chance) (55%)
Morningside Dr1.2 mi25%X (shaded, 0.2% annual chance) (75%)
Dryden Rd1.1 mi0.0%X (shaded, 0.2% annual chance) (100%)
Maroneal St1.1 mi64%AE (64%)
Bertner St1.1 mi36%X (shaded, 0.2% annual chance) (64%)
Underwood St1.1 mi86%AE (86%)
Blue Bonnet Blvd1.0 mi83%AE (83%)
Murworth Dr5,070 ft1.4%X (unshaded, minimal) (64%)
Southgate Blvd4,950 ft0.0%X (shaded, 0.2% annual chance) (100%)
Swift Blvd4,940 ft0.0%X (shaded, 0.2% annual chance) (100%)
Rice Blvd4,790 ft0.0%X (shaded, 0.2% annual chance) (100%)

Streets: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb, Transportation (primary, secondary and local roads). Flood zones: FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL), Flood Hazard Zones and FIRM Panels, retrieved October 24, 2026. Each street is clipped to the area boundary and measured in an equal-area projection. Street lengths are rounded.

Flood zones in Braeswood

Share of Braeswood’s mapped area (about 15.473 km²) in each FEMA flood zone, from FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL), Flood Hazard Zones and FIRM Panels. Effective date of the FIRM panel(s) covering it (48201C0855L, 48201C0860L, 48201C0870M): June 18, 2007, May 2, 2019.

FEMA zoneShare of area
X (shaded, 0.2% annual chance)54%
X (unshaded, minimal)24%
AE22%

What the zones mean

Zone AE (and A, AH, AO)
High-risk: part of the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), the area FEMA maps as having a 1-percent chance of flooding in any given year (the “100-year” or base flood). AE areas have a mapped base flood elevation.
Zone VE (and V)
High-risk coastal areas, also in the SFHA, where the base flood is expected to bring additional hazards from storm waves.
Zone X (shaded)
Moderate hazard: between the limits of the 1-percent and the 0.2-percent-annual-chance (“500-year”) flood.
Zone X (unshaded)
Minimal hazard: outside the SFHA and higher than the 0.2-percent-annual-chance flood elevation. Minimal is not zero: flood claims are filed from X zones too.

Source: FEMA Glossary: Flood Zones.

Flood insurance claims over time

Claims filed under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) from the 2010 Census block groups that cover Braeswood. This area is made of whole block groups, so every claim counted here comes from inside it. Only insured properties appear, so these counts understate total flooding.

By decade

DecadeClaimsPaid
1970s66$564,561
1980s114$1,365,900
1990s93$519,393
2000s627$40,961,921
2010s679$67,371,741
2020s3$0

By year of loss

19783
197963
19802
198117
19822
198370
19843
19851
19872
198917
19901
19918
199210
19934
199439
19954
19962
199713
199812
20002
2001526
20021
20036
20042
20055
20064
20079
200870
20092
20102
20111
20129
20138
20142
2015107
201615
2017531
20181
20193
20211
20242

Named flood events with the most claims

FEMA labels some events only as “Flooding”. Claims by the flood zone the property was rated in:

How much is flood insurance in Braeswood?

The typical National Flood Insurance Program policy on single-family homes in Braeswood costs $1,263 a year: the median of 1,168 policies that started between August 1, 2025 and July 31, 2026. Half of them cost between $1,084 and $1,719. That is the full amount paid for the year, the premium plus FEMA’s fees and surcharges, and every one of these policies is priced under Risk Rating 2.0. A quote for one building can be far from this: its elevation, foundation, age, coverage and deductible all change the price. Private flood insurance is not included.

Source: FEMA OpenFEMA Dataset: FIMA NFIP Redacted Policies - v3, computed October 24, 2026.

Are insurers dropping homes in Braeswood?

Since April 2026, Texas insurers must report every home insurance policy they cancel or do not renew, and every application they turn down, with the reasons. In ZIP code 77025, insurers did not renew or cancelled for reasons of their own at least 132 homeowner-type policies in April–July 2026: 18.6 for every 1,000 policies in force, above the Texas rate of 14.2. ZIP codes do not follow neighborhood lines; these are the ZIP codes on most of the flood claims counted for Braeswood, within 10 km of it.

ZIP codeNot renewed or cancelled by the insurerPer 1,000 policies in forceApplications turned down
7702513218.6877
770303312.2290
7700510713.6950
All of Texas113,81114.2575,534

Homeowner-type policies: homeowners, condominium owners, dwelling (rental house) and mobile home policies, April–July 2026. “Not renewed or cancelled by the insurer” is every nonrenewal plus every cancellation whose stated reasons include one on the insurer’s side; cancellations for nonpayment or at the policyholder’s own request are not counted, and they are most cancellations. The reasons file only has notices sent since the reporting began, so the cancellation part is a floor: read these as “at least”. Policies in force are TDI’s count as of December 31, 2025. A rate is shown only for 10 or more. Where the insurer’s notice gave its reasons (192 notices in TDI’s reasons file for these ZIP codes): 86% cited “other insurer action”, TDI’s catch-all reason; 4% cited an increase in hazard; 3% cited other property condition; 1 cited the insurer leaving the market. A notice can give more than one reason. TDI also lists 5 stand-alone private flood policies in these ZIP codes that were cancelled, not renewed or declined over the same months, for any reason.

Source: Texas Department of Insurance, HB 2067 residential property data: actual number of declinations, cancellations and nonrenewals (data.texas.gov); Texas Department of Insurance, HB 2067 residential property data: reasons for declinations, cancellations and nonrenewals (data.texas.gov); Texas Department of Insurance, HB 2067 residential property data: policy counts (data.texas.gov). Computed October 26, 2026. The Texas Department of Insurance does not endorse this site.

Why home insurance costs what it does in Braeswood

This section is educational and is not insurance advice.

Flood insurance

ZIP codes do not follow neighborhood lines. These are the ZIP codes on at least 5% of the flood claims counted for Braeswood, within 10 km of it.

  • ZIP code 77025: the median National Flood Insurance Program policy cost for single-family homes was $1,378 a year, the middle of 3,263 policies that started between August 1, 2025 and July 31, 2026. Half of them cost between $1,094 and $1,992. These policies are priced under Risk Rating 2.0.
  • ZIP code 77025: NFIP records list 3,059 flood claims with a loss year from 1978 through 2026. The claims dataset is as of September 8, 2026.
  • ZIP code 77030: the median National Flood Insurance Program policy cost for single-family homes was $1,234 a year, the middle of 734 policies that started between August 1, 2025 and July 31, 2026. Half of them cost between $1,082 and $1,270. These policies are priced under Risk Rating 2.0.
  • ZIP code 77030: NFIP records list 438 flood claims with a loss year from 1978 through 2024. The claims dataset is as of September 8, 2026.
  • ZIP code 77005: the median National Flood Insurance Program policy cost for single-family homes was $1,257 a year, the middle of 3,623 policies that started between August 1, 2025 and July 31, 2026. Half of them cost between $1,083 and $1,349. These policies are priced under Risk Rating 2.0.
  • ZIP code 77005: NFIP records list 817 flood claims with a loss year from 1978 through 2026. The claims dataset is as of September 8, 2026.

Fire and wind

  • FEMA's National Risk Index, version 1.20.0 (December 2025) rates hurricane risk for the census tracts covering Braeswood as Relatively Moderate for 71.2%, Relatively High for 17.7%, Very High for 8.3% and Relatively Low for 2.7% of the area.
  • USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities gives Houston, TX a Risk to Homes national percentile rank of 0.634, which its methods call Medium (above the 40th percentile and below the 70th). That is the city rating, not a rating of Braeswood alone. The summary file is dated April 15, 2026.

The insurance market in Texas

  • Texas Windstorm Insurance Association: Total policies in force, as of 6/30/2026: 288,676.
  • Texas FAIR Plan Association: As of June 30, 2026: TFPA insures 118,486 properties.

What to ask your agent

  • Ask the agent how old the roof is.
  • Ask whether a wind-mitigation discount is available for this house.
  • Ask how flood coverage differs from the homeowners policy. A standard homeowners policy does not cover flood. Flood coverage is a separate policy.
  • Ask whether the policy has a separate hurricane or windstorm deductible, and how that deductible is calculated.
  • Ask when coverage would start. A new National Flood Insurance Program policy generally takes effect 30 days after purchase.

Flood coverage and the 30-day wait: FEMA fact sheet, Jan. 21, 2025; 44 CFR 61.11.

What do NFIP records show for flood insurance in Braeswood?

ZIP code 77025: the median National Flood Insurance Program policy cost for single-family homes was $1,378 a year, the middle of 3,263 policies that started between August 1, 2025 and July 31, 2026. Half of them cost between $1,094 and $1,992. These policies are priced under Risk Rating 2.0. ZIP code 77025: NFIP records list 3,059 flood claims with a loss year from 1978 through 2026. The claims dataset is as of September 8, 2026. ZIP code 77030: the median National Flood Insurance Program policy cost for single-family homes was $1,234 a year, the middle of 734 policies that started between August 1, 2025 and July 31, 2026. Half of them cost between $1,082 and $1,270. These policies are priced under Risk Rating 2.0. ZIP code 77030: NFIP records list 438 flood claims with a loss year from 1978 through 2024. The claims dataset is as of September 8, 2026. ZIP code 77005: the median National Flood Insurance Program policy cost for single-family homes was $1,257 a year, the middle of 3,623 policies that started between August 1, 2025 and July 31, 2026. Half of them cost between $1,083 and $1,349. These policies are priced under Risk Rating 2.0. ZIP code 77005: NFIP records list 817 flood claims with a loss year from 1978 through 2026. The claims dataset is as of September 8, 2026.

How big are the last-resort insurance plans in Texas?

Texas Windstorm Insurance Association: Total policies in force, as of 6/30/2026: 288,676. Texas FAIR Plan Association: As of June 30, 2026: TFPA insures 118,486 properties.

What should I ask an insurance agent about a home in Braeswood?

Ask the agent how old the roof is. Ask whether a wind-mitigation discount is available for this house. Ask how flood coverage differs from the homeowners policy. A standard homeowners policy does not cover flood. Flood coverage is a separate policy. Ask whether the policy has a separate hurricane or windstorm deductible, and how that deductible is calculated. Ask when coverage would start. A new National Flood Insurance Program policy generally takes effect 30 days after purchase.

Sources: OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Policies v3; OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3; FEMA National Risk Index, Census Tracts, 1.20.0 (December 2025); USDA Forest Service, Wildfire Risk to Communities, community summaries; Wildfire Risk to Communities methods; Texas Department of Insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association Overview; Texas FAIR Plan Association Fact Book, Q2 2026.

Insurance agency or real estate agent? Sponsor this page.

Hurricane storm surge in Braeswood

Storm surge is seawater pushed onto land by a hurricane’s winds. NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) maps a near worst-case surge for each hurricane category, arriving at high tide, from thousands of simulated storms (NOAA National Hurricane Center, National Storm Surge Risk Maps, Version 4 (Texas to Maine, high tide scenario, GeoTIFF dated June 17, 2026)).

In those maps, about 0% of Braeswood’s mapped area has surge flooding above ground in a Category 1 hurricane, 0% in a Category 3 and 0.7% in a Category 5.

0%
of the area with surge flooding, Category 1 (near worst case)
0%
of the area with surge flooding, Category 3 (near worst case)
0.7%
of the area with surge flooding, Category 5 (near worst case)
HurricaneArea with any surge floodingMore than 3 ftMore than 6 ftMore than 9 ftDeepest band mapped
Category 10%0%0%0%no surge flooding mapped
Category 20%0%0%0%no surge flooding mapped
Category 30%0%0%0%no surge flooding mapped
Category 40.4%0.3%0.2%0.1%19–20 ft
Category 50.7%0.6%0.5%0.4%more than 20 ft

FEMA’s National Risk Index, which compares every U.S. census tract, rates hurricane risk (wind, surge and expected losses together) for the tracts that cover Braeswood as: “Relatively Moderate” for 71%; “Relatively High” for 18%; “Very High” for 8.3%; “Relatively Low” for 2.7% of the area. Their hurricane risk scores range from 71 to 98 out of 100; a score is a national percentile, so 98 means higher hurricane risk than about 98% of U.S. census tracts (FEMA National Risk Index, Census Tracts feature layer, Version 1.20.0 (December 2025)).

NHC: “The data, maps, and information provided should only be used as a tool for general education/awareness of the storm surge hazard at a city/community level (not for a parcel level/grid cell assessment).” The maps do not account for erosion, subsidence, sea-level change or future construction, and NHC says they “should not be used to replace the maps used for hurricane evacuation zones.” Find out whether your address is in an evacuation zone (below) and follow official orders.

Hurricane evacuation zone

We do not show evacuation zones for Houston yet. Check the official source: Houston-Galveston Area Council: Hurricane Evacuation Zip-Zone maps.

Extreme heat in Braeswood

FEMA’s National Risk Index rates heat wave risk for the census tracts that cover Braeswood as: “Relatively Low” for 68%; “Relatively Moderate” for 32% of the area. Their heat wave risk scores range from 19 to 77 out of 100 (national percentiles). The index weighs how often heat waves happen, what they are expected to cost, and how vulnerable and resilient the community is, so a dense area can rate differently from a nearby one (FEMA National Risk Index, Census Tracts feature layer, Version 1.20.0 (December 2025)).

9.7%
average tree canopy cover, 2025 (USDA Forest Service)
14%
Houston average, same map

Trees shade streets and buildings and cool the air around them (U.S. EPA: Using Trees and Vegetation to Reduce Heat Islands). In the USDA Forest Service’s 2025 satellite-based tree canopy map, trees cover about 9.7% of Braeswood’s area on average, compared with 14% for Houston as a whole (the 18 Houston areas on this site combined) (USDA Forest Service. 2026. USFS NLCD Percent Tree Canopy CONUS v2025-6 (2025 map). Salt Lake City, UT).

During a heat advisory, follow the National Weather Service: Heat Safety guidance. Neighborhood averages cannot tell you how hot a particular home, block or unit gets.

Tornado risk in Braeswood

FEMA’s National Risk Index rates tornado risk for the census tracts that cover Braeswood as: “Relatively High” for 60%; “Relatively Moderate” for 28%; “Very High” for 11%; “Relatively Low” for 1.5% of the area. Their tornado risk scores range from 52 to 95 out of 100 (national percentiles). The rating weighs how often tornadoes have struck, what is exposed to them and how well the community can recover (FEMA National Risk Index, Census Tracts feature layer, Version 1.20.0 (December 2025)).

Here tornadoes can come with hurricanes and tropical storms as well as with spring thunderstorms. A rating for a whole tract cannot tell you how a particular building would fare; check whether a home insurance policy has a separate windstorm deductible, and know where the safest interior room is.

This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s). FEMA: “The National Risk Index data are meant for planning purposes only. This National Risk Index dataset was created for broad nationwide comparisons and is not a substitute for localized risk assessment analysis.”

Before you rent or buy in Braeswood

Living in Braeswood

Flood maps are only one part of choosing a neighborhood. To compare Braeswood with other Houston neighborhoods on more than flooding, see Houston on StrollPlace.

Buyer and renter FAQ

Does Braeswood flood?

Yes. Insured properties in and around Braeswood have filed flood claims. About 22% of Braeswood’s mapped area is inside FEMA’s Special Flood Hazard Area; the rest is in moderate or minimal-hazard Zone X. NFIP flood insurance records list 1,582 claims from the Census block groups that cover Braeswood, from 1978 through 2024. 1,263 of them received a payment, totaling $110,783,514 (not adjusted for inflation). The busiest years were 2017 (531 claims), 2001 (526 claims), 2015 (107 claims). Past claims do not predict future flooding, and conditions vary street by street, so check the specific address.

Is Braeswood in a flood zone?

About 22% of Braeswood’s mapped area is inside FEMA’s Special Flood Hazard Area; the rest is in moderate or minimal-hazard Zone X. Shares by zone: X (shaded, 0.2% annual chance) 54%; X (unshaded, minimal) 24%; AE 22%. The FIRM panel(s) covering it took effect June 18, 2007, May 2, 2019.

Which streets in Braeswood are in a high-risk flood zone?

Most of the length of S Braeswood Blvd, N Braeswood Blvd, Buffalo Speedway, W Holcombe Blvd, Glen Haven Blvd, Holcombe Blvd, Bellefontaine St, Maroneal St, Underwood St and Blue Bonnet Blvd lies in FEMA high-risk zones (the Special Flood Hazard Area). Less than 10% of Old Spanish Trl, Fannin St, Greenbriar St, Cambridge St, University Blvd, Sunset Blvd, Dryden Rd and Murworth Dr does. Zones can change along a street, so check the exact address.

What ZIP code is Braeswood in?

Braeswood is in Houston, TX. ZIP codes 77025, 77030 and 77005: the ZIP codes on most of the flood insurance claims counted here. ZIP codes do not follow neighborhood lines. Check the specific address for its own flood zone.

Do renters need flood insurance?

Standard renters policies usually do not cover flood. Renters in a community that participates in the NFIP can buy contents-only flood coverage, up to $100,000 for belongings.

How long does a new flood policy take to start?

A new NFIP policy generally takes effect 30 days after purchase. Exceptions include no wait when the policy is bought while making, increasing, extending or renewing a mortgage, and a one-day wait in a newly designated high-risk zone within 12 months of the map change.

How much coverage can NFIP provide?

For a one-to-four family home, NFIP building coverage goes up to $250,000 and contents coverage up to $100,000. You can buy flood insurance even if you are not in a high-risk zone, as long as your community participates in the NFIP.

Does storm surge reach Braeswood?

In NOAA’s National Hurricane Center near worst-case maps, about 0% of Braeswood’s mapped area floods from storm surge in a Category 1 hurricane, 0% in a Category 3 and 0.7% in a Category 5. These maps are for awareness at a community level, not for a single building.

Is Braeswood at risk of tornadoes?

FEMA’s National Risk Index rates tornado risk for the tracts that cover Braeswood as “Relatively High” for 60%; “Relatively Moderate” for 28%; “Very High” for 11%; “Relatively Low” for 1.5% of the area. It compares places nationally; it is not a forecast.

How much is flood insurance in Braeswood?

The typical NFIP flood insurance policy on single-family homes in Braeswood cost $1,263 a year: the median of 1,168 policies that started between August 1, 2025 and July 31, 2026. Half cost between $1,084 and $1,719. One building’s quote can be far from this; its elevation, foundation, age, coverage and deductible all change the price.

Are insurers dropping homes in Braeswood?

In ZIP code 77025, insurers did not renew or cancelled for reasons of their own at least 132 homeowner-type policies in April–July 2026: 18.6 for every 1,000 policies in force, above the Texas rate of 14.2. That counts every nonrenewal and every cancellation with a reason on the insurer’s side, not cancellations for nonpayment or at the policyholder’s request. Insurers also turned down 877 applications there over the same months. Source: Texas Department of Insurance HB 2067 data.

FAQ sources: FloodSmart (NFIP): Buy a Flood Insurance Policy; FEMA Fact Sheet: Think you don’t need flood insurance? Think again (Jan. 21, 2025); 44 CFR 61.11, Effective date and time of coverage.

Nearby neighborhoods

How these numbers were made

Area: the census-based definition above, using U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb, 2010 Census Block Groups and U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) domestic names. Flood zone shares: the area polygon intersected with FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL), Flood Hazard Zones and FIRM Panels, area computed in an equal-area projection; retrieved October 21, 2026. Claims: OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3 records for Harris County (county code 48201), dataset as of September 8, 2026, retrieved October 21, 2026. Claims are counted for exactly the block groups that make up the area. Block groups used: 482013140022, 482013140021, 482013144002, 482014122004, 482013140025, 482013140012, 482013140013, 482013143002, 482014122001, 482014122003, 482014122002, 482014121001, 482014120003, 482014120001, 482014131001, 482014133002, 482014131002, 482014132022, 482014132011, 482014132012, 482013131002, 482014133001, 482013140011, 482014132021, 482013144001, 482014123002. Neighboring pages can share a block group, so their counts can overlap. Paid totals add building, contents and Increased Cost of Compliance payments and are not adjusted for inflation; a claim whose FEMA record shows a negative payment (an adjustment) counts as zero. Storm surge: the area polygon overlaid on NHC’s Category 1–5 high-tide inundation GeoTIFFs (about 10 m cells in 1-ft depth classes); each share is the fraction of cells whose center lies inside the polygon and that NHC maps with water above ground, counting cells NHC leaves blank as not flooded. Tree canopy: the mean of the 2025 NLCD Tree Canopy Cover values (0–100%, 30 m cells in an equal-area projection) for cells whose center lies inside the polygon. Tornado: the FEMA National Risk Index tornado rating and score of each census tract that covers the neighborhood, weighted by its share of the area. FEMA National Risk Index: census tracts intersected with the polygon in an equal-area projection; each rating’s share is the share of the polygon covered by tracts with that rating (tracts covering less than 1% are left out; together the tracts used cover 100%). We do not compute a new score. Tracts used: 48201314402 (12%), 48201412202 (9.3%), 48201413301 (9.2%), 48201314001 (9.1%), 48201313102 (8.3%), 48201980300 (7.9%), 48201413100 (6.8%), 48201412201 (6.2%), 48201314003 (5.7%), 48201314302 (5.6%), 48201412000 (5.5%), 48201314401 (3.1%), 48201412300 (2.9%), 48201413205 (1.9%), 48201413206 (1.7%), 48201413203 (1.6%), 48201413204 (1.5%), 48201314004 (1.2%). See the methodology.

Sources

  1. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), FEMA OpenFEMA Dataset: FIMA NFIP Redacted Claims - v3. Retrieved on October 21, 2026.
  2. FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL), Flood Hazard Zones and FIRM Panels. Retrieved on October 21, 2026.
  3. U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb, 2010 Census Block Groups and U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) domestic names.
  4. FEMA Glossary: Flood Zones.
  5. FloodSmart (NFIP): Buy a Flood Insurance Policy.
  6. FEMA Fact Sheet: Think you don’t need flood insurance? Think again (Jan. 21, 2025).
  7. 44 CFR 61.11, Effective date and time of coverage.
  8. OpenFEMA Terms and Conditions.
  9. NOAA National Hurricane Center, National Storm Surge Risk Maps, Version 4 (Texas to Maine, high tide scenario, GeoTIFF dated June 17, 2026) (computed October 21, 2026).
  10. Zachry, B. C., W. J. Booth, J. R. Rhome, and T. M. Sharon, 2015: A National View of Storm Surge Risk and Inundation. Weather, Climate, and Society, 7(2), 109–117 (NHC’s preferred citation).
  11. Houston-Galveston Area Council: Hurricane Evacuation Zip-Zone maps.
  12. USDA Forest Service. 2026. USFS NLCD Percent Tree Canopy CONUS v2025-6 (2025 map). Salt Lake City, UT (30 m cells; read October 21, 2026).
  13. National Weather Service: Heat Safety.
  14. U.S. EPA: Using Trees and Vegetation to Reduce Heat Islands.
  15. FEMA National Risk Index, Census Tracts feature layer, Version 1.20.0 (December 2025) (retrieved October 21, 2026).
  16. FEMA OpenFEMA Dataset: FIMA NFIP Redacted Policies - v3.
  17. Texas Department of Insurance, HB 2067 residential property data: actual number of declinations, cancellations and nonrenewals (data.texas.gov).
  18. Texas Department of Insurance, HB 2067 residential property data: reasons for declinations, cancellations and nonrenewals (data.texas.gov).
  19. Texas Department of Insurance, HB 2067 residential property data: policy counts (data.texas.gov).
  20. OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Policies v3.
  21. OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3.
  22. FEMA National Risk Index, Census Tracts, 1.20.0 (December 2025).
  23. USDA Forest Service, Wildfire Risk to Communities, community summaries.
  24. Wildfire Risk to Communities methods.
  25. Texas Department of Insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association Overview.
  26. Texas FAIR Plan Association Fact Book, Q2 2026.
  27. U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb, Transportation (primary, secondary and local roads).

Data as of September 8, 2026 (FEMA claims) and October 21, 2026 (flood zones); hazard data computed October 21, 2026. Page last updated October 28, 2026.