Hurricane · 2017

Hurricane Harvey

August 25–September 2, 2017 · TX, LA

$125 billion

Total Damage

154,000+

Homes Flooded

$30 billion

Insured Losses

$4.5 billion

FEMA Grants

What Happened

Harvey made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane and stalled over Southeast Texas for 5 days, dumping record rainfall. The storm caused catastrophic flooding in Houston, the nation's fourth-largest city, with some areas receiving 50+ inches of rain. Approximately 80% of flooded homes in Harris County were outside FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas — shocking homeowners who believed they were not at risk.

Rainfall Record

60.58 inches in Nederland, TX — the highest rainfall total ever recorded in US history from a single tropical storm

Affected Cities & States

States

TXLA

Primary Cities

Houston
Beaumont
Corpus Christi
Victoria

Key Lessons for Homeowners

1
80% of Houston Harvey victims were outside FEMA floodplains — flood risk maps underestimate actual risk
2
The Addicks and Barker Reservoirs were intentionally released, flooding thousands of homes NOT in their flood pool
3
FEMA's Individual Assistance average was only $9,127 — far below actual replacement costs
4
Homeowners without flood insurance received on average 60% less recovery funding than insured victims

Damage & Recovery by the Numbers

Total Economic Damage: $125 billion
Insured Losses: $30 billion
Homes Flooded: 154,000+
FEMA Grants Issued: $4.5 billion
FEMA Declaration #: DR-4332

Official Resources

FEMA Declaration Number: DR-4332

Apply for federal disaster assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov — use declaration number above to look up your eligibility.

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Related Resources

Other Major Events

Hurricane Harvey — Frequently Asked Questions

: Hurricane Harvey (2017) caused $125 billion in total damages, with $30 billion in insured losses. Approximately 154,000+ homes were flooded. FEMA issued $4.5 billion in individual assistance grants to affected homeowners.
: Key lessons from Hurricane Harvey: 80% of Houston Harvey victims were outside FEMA floodplains — flood risk maps underestimate actual risk; The Addicks and Barker Reservoirs were intentionally released, flooding thousands of homes NOT in their flood pool; FEMA's Individual Assistance average was only $9,127 — far below actual replacement costs; Homeowners without flood insurance received on average 60% less recovery funding than insured victims.
: Standard homeowners insurance does NOT cover flood damage from events like Hurricane Harvey. This type of damage — surface water flooding from hurricanes and storm surge — requires separate NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) or private flood insurance. FEMA disaster assistance (average $4.5 billion per event) provides limited supplemental help for uninsured losses, but is far below typical replacement costs.
: Apply at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 within 60 days of the federal disaster declaration for your county. You will need your Social Security number, property address, insurance policy information, and a description of damages. FEMA will schedule a home inspection. Processing typically takes 1-2 weeks for initial determination. If denied, you have 60 days to appeal with additional documentation.

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What Happened

Rainfall Record

60.58 inches in Nederland, TX — the highest rainfall total ever recorded in US history from a single tropical storm

Key Lessons for Homeowners

80% of Houston Harvey victims were outside FEMA floodplains — flood risk maps underestimate actual risk

The Addicks and Barker Reservoirs were intentionally released, flooding thousands of homes NOT in their flood pool

FEMA's Individual Assistance average was only $9,127 — far below actual replacement costs

Homeowners without flood insurance received on average 60% less recovery funding than insured victims

Hurricane Harvey — Frequently Asked Questions

Hurricane Harvey (2017) caused $125 billion in total damages, with $30 billion in insured losses. Approximately 154,000+ homes were flooded. FEMA issued $4.5 billion in individual assistance grants to affected homeowners.

Key lessons from Hurricane Harvey: 80% of Houston Harvey victims were outside FEMA floodplains — flood risk maps underestimate actual risk; The Addicks and Barker Reservoirs were intentionally released, flooding thousands of homes NOT in their flood pool; FEMA's Individual Assistance average was only $9,127 — far below actual replacement costs; Homeowners without flood insurance received on average 60% less recovery funding than insured victims.

Standard homeowners insurance does NOT cover flood damage from events like Hurricane Harvey. This type of damage — surface water flooding from hurricanes and storm surge — requires separate NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) or private flood insurance. FEMA disaster assistance (average $4.5 billion per event) provides limited supplemental help for uninsured losses, but is far below typical replacement costs.

Apply at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 within 60 days of the federal disaster declaration for your county. You will need your Social Security number, property address, insurance policy information, and a description of damages. FEMA will schedule a home inspection. Processing typically takes 1-2 weeks for initial determination. If denied, you have 60 days to appeal with additional documentation.