What Should San Augustine County, TX Homeowners Know About Wind Risk and Home Insurance?
The FEMA National Risk Index rates strong wind as the top natural hazard in San Augustine County, Texas, at Relatively Moderate, higher than 82% of U.S. counties. FEMA also lists 23 disaster declarations for coastal storm, fire, flood, hurricane, severe ice storm and severe storm incidents in the county, the most recent dated July 9, 2024. With 3,051 occupied homes counted by the U.S. Census, a lot of households here are living with a wind risk they have never priced out.
San Augustine County Risk Profile
Overall risk: Very Low, higher than 17.6% of U.S. counties
| Hazard | Rating | Score (percentile) |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | Very Low | 56.4 |
| Riverine Flooding | Very Low | 17 |
| Tornado | Relatively Low | 44.8 |
| Hail | Very Low | 12 |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | 82 |
| Lightning | Relatively Low | 46.2 |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index. Scores are percentile ranks among all U.S. counties: a score of 90 means higher risk than 90% of counties. Ratings are for the county as a whole.
San Augustine County at a Glance
- County seat
- San Augustine
- Largest towns
- San Augustine, Broaddus
- Occupied homes
- 3,051
- Flood insurance (NFIP) policies in force
- 29
- FEMA disaster declarations
- 23 (most recent July 9, 2024)Counts coastal storm, fire, flood, hurricane, severe ice storm and severe storm declarations
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey), FEMA NFIP policy data, FEMA disaster declarations.
Is San Augustine County, TX at risk for tornadoes?
Yes, but the risk is lower than for wind. FEMA’s National Risk Index rates tornado risk in San Augustine County as Relatively Low, higher than 44.8% of U.S. counties. A low rating does not mean a tornado cannot hit your home, so find your wind deductible before storm season.
What San Augustine County’s FEMA risk numbers mean for your home
The big picture: FEMA’s National Risk Index rates San Augustine County’s overall natural hazard risk as Very Low, higher than 17.6% of U.S. counties. Strong wind is the standout hazard, and tornado is rated Relatively Low, higher than 44.8% of U.S. counties.
What the numbers cannot tell you: These are county-level percentile ranks, not a forecast for your street or your roof. A Very Low overall rating says nothing about whether a single storm can damage the home you own, and it says nothing about how your policy will respond.
The local record: FEMA lists 23 coastal storm, fire, flood, hurricane, severe ice storm and severe storm disaster declarations for the county, the latest on July 9, 2024. Whether you live in San Augustine or Broaddus, storms and fire have reached this county before.
How smoke and soot can spread beyond the visible damage after a fire
Wildfire risk is low but not zero: FEMA’s National Risk Index rates wildfire in San Augustine County as Very Low, higher than 56.4% of U.S. counties, and fire appears among the county’s FEMA declaration types. That is enough reason to know how a smoke claim works before you ever need one.
Damage you cannot see from the doorway: Smoke and soot travel through the whole house, not only the room that burned. Fine soot can settle in attics, wall cavities, insulation, HVAC ducts, closets and soft goods such as mattresses, curtains and clothing, long after the visible fire damage ends.
Why it gets argued over: Fire is a covered peril under a standard homeowners policy. The usual battle with the insurance company is over how much is owed. An insurance company estimate that covers only the burned area can leave out the cleaning, odor removal, and replacement needed in rooms that look untouched.
- Photograph every room, including closets, attic, and garage, so you have a record of what was there.
- Keep receipts for anything you must clean or replace.
- Do not accept that rooms without flames have no damage until the whole home has been properly assessed.
Where San Augustine County homeowners policies tend to fall short on wind and flood
The separate wind deductible: Wind and tornado damage are generally covered much like fire, but most policies carry a wind or hail deductible that is separate from your main deductible. Because strong wind is this county’s leading hazard, that line on your declarations page matters more here than almost anything else. Look it up now and know the dollar amount.
Flood is a different policy: A standard homeowners policy excludes flood. It requires separate flood insurance, either NFIP or a private flood policy. FEMA’s NFIP reports 29 flood insurance policies that are in force in San Augustine County, against 3,051 occupied homes counted by the Census, and flood appears among the county’s FEMA declaration types.
Hurricane and tropical storm rain: Hurricane and coastal storm are on the county’s declaration list. Wind damage from such a storm is generally covered, though your wind deductible applies. Rising water is not covered without flood insurance.
- Find your wind or hail deductible, and see whether it is a flat amount or a percentage of your home’s value.
- Check whether you carry any flood policy at all.
- Walk the house with your phone and record the roof, siding, trees near the structure and every room.
How a public adjuster helps with smoke, soot and wind claims
On your side of the table: The insurance company’s adjuster works for the insurance company. ClaimsMate’s licensed public adjusters represent you, the policyholder, on property insurance claims. If you want to understand the difference first, read what a public adjuster is and how to deal with the insurance company adjuster.
Where the work happens: After a loss, a public adjuster documents structural damage and personal property losses, reviews your policy’s coverage for that claim, evaluates the scope and cost of covered damage, and communicates and negotiates with the insurance company. On a fire claim, that includes making sure smoke and soot damage beyond the burn area is counted.
If a claim goes wrong: They also help with disputed, underpaid or denied claims. You can find Texas public adjusters and ask for a free consultation if a loss ever happens.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many flood insurance policies are in force in San Augustine County, TX?
FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program reports 29 policies in force in San Augustine County. The U.S. Census counts 3,051 occupied homes there. Flood is excluded from a standard homeowners policy, so a home without a separate flood policy has no flood coverage.
Does homeowners insurance cover strong wind damage in San Augustine County?
Generally yes, wind damage is covered like fire. Most policies, however, apply a separate wind or hail deductible, different from your main deductible. FEMA rates strong wind in San Augustine County Relatively Moderate, higher than 82% of U.S. counties, so confirm that deductible’s amount now.
Is wildfire a concern in San Augustine County, TX?
The risk is low. FEMA’s National Risk Index rates wildfire Very Low, higher than 56.4% of U.S. counties. Fire is still on the county’s FEMA declaration list, and fire is a covered peril under a standard homeowners policy, so the main question after a fire is how much is owed.
Does a public adjuster help before a storm hits?
No. Before a loss, you can find your deductible, check for flood coverage and document your home yourself. If a claim happens, a licensed public adjuster can document damage, review coverage for the claim and negotiate with the insurance company for you.
Final Word: Wind Risk in San Augustine County Is Worth Planning For
Strong wind is the hazard that stands out in San Augustine County, and the separate wind deductible and the flood exclusion are the two policy gaps most likely to surprise you. Check both now, before a storm, and document your home while everything is intact.
Contact ClaimsMate for wind, tornado and fire insurance claim issues. ClaimsMate’s expert and licensed public adjusters document your damage, evaluate covered losses and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. Contact us for a no-cost consultation.
Sign up for a free consultation today from ClaimsMate to discover the best path forward for your wind damage insurance claim.
Public Adjusters Serving San Augustine County
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Stephanie is a property insurance claim expert with over 20 years of experience working as an insurance adjuster, expert witness, appraiser and umpire. She is passionate about sharing her expertise, knowledge, tips and training to help both property owners and Public Adjusters in their pursuit of effectively managing claims and recovering the claim settlement they deserve after a loss.
