FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Balcones Heights than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Balcones Heights gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #116 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then hail (26%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2002.
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 Balcones 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
Tornadoes
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 Balcones Heights’ grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Balcones Heights, and Balcones Heights’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 26%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #116 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Balcones 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, Balcones Heights has less expected damage per building than 82% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $829K a year in losses across Balcones Heights: $535K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Balcones Heights flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2002
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Balcones Heights, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Balcones 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Balcones Heights
Disasters that paid out in Balcones Heights itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Balcones Heights), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$34K to the City of Balcones Heights for repairs1 flood claim 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 Balcones Heights after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Balcones Heights archive →Get ready for what Balcones 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Balcones Heights
Is Balcones Heights at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Balcones Heights has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #116 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and hail (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Balcones Heights flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Balcones Heights since 2002, $58K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Balcones 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 Balcones Heights?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Balcones 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 Balcones Heights?
By FEMA money that reached Balcones Heights, Severe Storms and Flooding (2002): $34K to the City of Balcones Heights for repairs.
Is Balcones Heights at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Balcones Heights’ rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Balcones Heights.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Balcones 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.