FEMA puts Alamo’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alamo gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #483 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (64%), then river and rain flooding (28%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1979.
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 Alamo 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
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’s grade
Hurricanes are 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Alamo, and Alamo’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 28% (lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
C #483 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Alamo’s residents live in 9 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 has more expected damage per building than 75% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.0M a year in losses across Alamo: $4.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Alamo flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alamo, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Dolly1 claim · $6K
Alamo 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Alamo
Disasters that paid out in Alamo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Alamo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding594 households applied for aid$2.5M aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms115 households applied for aid$83K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding50 households applied for aid$117K aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding123 households applied for aid$122K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding26 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding29 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding315 households applied for aid$371K aid approved$24K to the City of Alamo for repairs
- 2010Hurricane Alex161 households applied for aid$192K aid approved$41K to the City of Alamo for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Dolly768 households applied for aid$864K aid approved$192K to the City of Alamo for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding193 households applied for aid$287K 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 Alamo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alamo archive →Alamo and its neighbors
Alamo has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alamo | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 15 |
| North Alamo | C−more damage than 78% | hurricanes | — |
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 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.
- 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
Is Alamo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alamo has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #483 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (64%) and river and rain flooding (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Alamo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Alamo since 1979, $492K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Dolly (1).
Is Alamo 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 Alamo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Alamo’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 Alamo?
By FEMA money that reached Alamo, Severe Storms and Flooding (2025): 594 households applied for aid, $2.5M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Dolly: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Alamo at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Alamo’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alamo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alamo’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.