More hazard damage per building is expected in Alton than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alton gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #551 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (56%), then river and rain flooding (37%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2018.
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 Alton 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 Alton’s grade
Hurricanes are 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Alton, and Alton’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 37% (lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #551 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Alton’s residents live in 6 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, Alton has more expected damage per building than 86% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.7M a year in losses across Alton: $2.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Alton flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Alton, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Hanna2 claims · $34K
Alton 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Alton
Disasters that paid out in Alton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Alton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding44 households applied for aid$129K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms45 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding64 households applied for aid$60K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey1 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Dolly116 households applied for aid$52K 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 Alton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Alton archive →Alton and its neighbors
Alton is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Sharyland | Cmore damage than 71% | hurricanes | 2 |
| McAllen | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 463 |
| Alton | C−more damage than 80% | hurricanes | 3 |
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 Alton 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 Alton
Is Alton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Alton has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #551 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (56%) and river and rain flooding (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Alton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Alton since 2018, $38K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Hanna (2).
Is Alton 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 Alton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Alton’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 Alton?
By FEMA money that reached Alton, Severe Storms and Flooding (2025): 44 households applied for aid, $129K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Hanna: 2 paid, $34K.
Is Alton at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Alton’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Alton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Alton’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.