Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Blanco than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blanco gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Blanco 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
Tornadoes
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 Blanco’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Blanco, and Blanco’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Blanco’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Blanco: $536K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Blanco flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Blanco, from FEMA’s records: 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms3 claims · $120K
Blanco isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Blanco County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Blanco
Disasters that paid out in Blanco itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Blanco), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storm$6K to the City of Blanco for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms58 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding122 households applied for aid$542K aid approved$465K to the City of Blanco for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$27K to the City of Blanco for repairs
Blanco County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Blanco after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Blanco archive →Get ready for what Blanco 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.
- 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.
- 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 Blanco
Is Blanco at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Blanco has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Blanco flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Blanco since 1978, $138K in all, or 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early summer storms (3).
Is Blanco 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 Blanco County, 1.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Blanco?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Blanco’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 Blanco?
By FEMA money that reached Blanco, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2015): 122 households applied for aid, $542K approved, and $465K to the City of Blanco for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 3 paid, $120K.
Is Blanco at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Blanco’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Blanco.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Blanco’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.