Trolley Stop in Alamo Heights · Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Alamo Heights than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alamo Heights gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #552 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%), then hail (12%). Flood insurance has paid 66 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 Alamo Heights’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Alamo Heights 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
Hail
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 Alamo Heights’ grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Alamo Heights, and Alamo Heights’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 12%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #552 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Alamo Heights’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Alamo Heights has more expected damage per building than 86% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.2M a year in losses across Alamo Heights: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Alamo Heights flood? Sometimes: 66 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alamo Heights, from FEMA’s records: 17.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain2 claims · $93K
Alamo Heights isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bexar County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Alamo Heights
Disasters that paid out in Alamo Heights itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Alamo Heights), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms2 households applied for aid$45K to the City of Alamo Heights for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$23K to the City of Alamo Heights for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 1998Tx-flooding 10/18/98$54K to the City of Alamo Heights for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
Bexar County has had 22 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.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Bexar County, 2006–2025.
Old photos of Alamo Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alamo Heights archive →Alamo Heights and its neighbors
Alamo Heights is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terrell Hills | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 41 |
| Alamo Heights | C−more damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 66 |
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 Alamo Heights 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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 Alamo Heights
Is Alamo Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alamo Heights has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #552 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hail (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Alamo Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 66 claims in Alamo Heights since 1978, $1.6M in all, or 17.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (2).
Is Alamo Heights 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 Bexar County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Alamo Heights?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Alamo Heights’ 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 Alamo Heights?
By FEMA money that reached Alamo Heights, Tx-flooding 10/18/98 (1998): $54K to the City of Alamo Heights for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 2 paid, $93K.
Is Alamo Heights at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Alamo Heights’ rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alamo Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alamo Heights’ 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.