FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Bulverde than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bulverde gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #444 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 21 claims here since 1998.
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 Bulverde’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Bulverde 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 Bulverde’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bulverde, and Bulverde’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 #444 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Bulverde’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, Bulverde has more expected damage per building than 69% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.1M a year in losses across Bulverde: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bulverde flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bulverde, from FEMA’s records: 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Fall severe storms12 claims · $417K
- The Torrential rain2 claims · $21K
Bulverde isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Comal County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bulverde
Disasters that paid out in Bulverde itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Bulverde), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms147 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding25 households applied for aid$44K aid approved$54K to the City of Bulverde for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$45K to the City of Bulverde for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Comal County has had 19 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.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Comal County, 1999–2006.
Old photos of Bulverde after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bulverde archive →Bulverde and its neighbors
Bulverde has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulverde | Cmore damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 21 |
| Spring Branch | — | 243 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 Bulverde 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 Bulverde
Is Bulverde at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bulverde has higher expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #444 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Bulverde flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Bulverde since 1998, $702K in all, or 8.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Fall severe storms (12).
Is Bulverde 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 Comal County, 46% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bulverde?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bulverde’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 Bulverde?
By FEMA money that reached Bulverde, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): 25 households applied for aid, $44K approved, and $54K to the City of Bulverde for repairs. By flood claims, Fall severe storms: 12 paid, $417K.
Is Bulverde at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Bulverde’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bulverde.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bulverde’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.