Photo: TCP04 · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Mexico faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mexico gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #62 of 247 in Missouri. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then earthquakes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1978.
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 stands out about Mexico’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Mexico 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
Earthquakes
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 Mexico’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mexico, and Mexico’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Winter storms add 1%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B #62 of 247 in Missouri; lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mexico’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Missouri town has higher expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, Mexico has less expected damage per building than 75% of Missouri towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across Mexico: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mexico flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mexico, from FEMA’s records: 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike1 claim · $13K
Mexico isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Audrain County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mexico
Disasters that paid out in Mexico itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mexico), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$70K to the City of Mexico for repairs
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$19K to the City of Mexico for repairs
Audrain County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Mexico after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mexico archive →Get ready for what Mexico 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Mexico
Is Mexico at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mexico has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #62 of 247 in Missouri. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and earthquakes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mexico flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Mexico since 1978, $88K in all, or 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (1).
Is Mexico 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 Audrain County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mexico?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mexico’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 Mexico?
By FEMA money that reached Mexico, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): $70K to the City of Mexico for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 1 paid, $13K.
Is Mexico at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Mexico’s rate for it is higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mexico.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mexico’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.