More hazard damage per building is expected in Abram than in 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Abram gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (57%), then river and rain flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2020.
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 Abram faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Abram’s grade
Hurricanes are 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Abram, and Abram’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 36% (lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Abram’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $400K a year in losses across Abram: $172K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Abram flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2020
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Abram, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Hanna1 claim · $10K
Abram isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hidalgo County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Abram
Disasters that paid out in Abram itself (aid to households or repair grants to Abram), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding2 households applied for aid$867 aid approved
Hidalgo County has had 26 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 Abram after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Abram archive →Abram and its neighbors
Abram is 4th of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Abram faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Abram
Is Abram at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Abram has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (57%) and river and rain flooding (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Abram flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Abram since 2020, $10K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Hanna (1).
Is Abram 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 Hidalgo County, 3.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Abram?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Abram’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 Abram?
By FEMA money that reached Abram, Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding (2002): 2 households applied for aid, $867 approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Hanna: 1 paid, $10K.
Is Abram at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Abram’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Abram.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Abram’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.