FEMA puts Aransas Pass’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aransas Pass gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #583 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (60%), then river and rain flooding (35%). Flood insurance has paid 515 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 stands out about Aransas Pass’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Aransas Pass 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 Aransas Pass’ grade
Hurricanes are 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Aransas Pass, and Aransas Pass’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 1%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #583 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Aransas Pass’ residents live in 5 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, Aransas Pass has more expected damage per building than 91% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Aransas Pass: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Aransas Pass flood? Yes: 515 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Aransas Pass, from FEMA’s records: 103.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Allen97 claims · $548K
- Hurricane Harvey91 claims · $3.9M
- The Heavy rains21 claims · $457K
Aransas Pass isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: San Patricio County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Aransas Pass
Disasters that paid out in Aransas Pass itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Aransas Pass), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms395 households applied for aid$142K aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey5,701 households applied for aid$14.2M aid approved91 flood claims paid for it, $3.9M
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$930 aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Claudette30 households applied for aid$40K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $84K
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding493 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved29 flood claims paid that year
San Patricio County has had 27 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Patricio County, 2025–2025.
Old photos of Aransas Pass after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Aransas Pass archive →Aransas Pass and its neighbors
Aransas Pass has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aransas Pass | C−more damage than 83% | hurricanes | 515 |
| Corpus Christi | C−more damage than 84% | hurricanes | 2,623 |
| Ingleside | C−more damage than 84% | hurricanes | 213 |
| Falman | — | 39 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Aransas Pass 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 Aransas Pass
Is Aransas Pass at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aransas Pass has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #583 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (60%) and river and rain flooding (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Aransas Pass flood?
Flood insurance has paid 515 claims in Aransas Pass since 1979, $9.7M in all, or 103.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 64 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Allen (97).
Is Aransas Pass 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 San Patricio County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Aransas Pass?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Aransas Pass’ 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 Aransas Pass?
By FEMA money that reached Aransas Pass, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 5,701 households applied for aid, $14.2M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Allen: 97 paid, $548K.
Is Aransas Pass at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Aransas Pass’ rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Aransas Pass.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Aransas Pass’ 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.