Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Cameron’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cameron gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #38 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then tornadoes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1980.
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 Cameron 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
Hurricanes
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 Cameron’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cameron, and Cameron’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 18% (higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
A #38 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cameron’s 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, Cameron has less expected damage per building than 94% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Cameron: $885K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cameron flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cameron, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Allen2 claims · $5K
Cameron isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Milam County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cameron
Disasters that paid out in Cameron itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cameron), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storm$170K to the City of Cameron for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms105 households applied for aid$66K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey1 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding67 households applied for aid$34K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding22 households applied for aid$108K aid approved$5K to the City of Cameron for repairs
Milam County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical 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 Milam County, 1998–1998.
Old photos of Cameron after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cameron archive →Get ready for what Cameron 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.
- 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.
- 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 Cameron
Is Cameron at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cameron has lower expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #38 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and tornadoes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cameron flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Cameron since 1980, $12K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Allen (2).
Is Cameron 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 Milam County, 0.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Cameron?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cameron’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 Cameron?
By FEMA money that reached Cameron, Severe Winter Storm (2023): $170K to the City of Cameron for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Allen: 2 paid, $5K.
Is Cameron at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Cameron’s rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cameron.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cameron’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.