Wedgwood, The · Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0For hail, Castle Hills’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Castle Hills gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #329 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then hail (19%). Flood insurance has paid 47 claims here since 1981.
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 Castle Hills 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 Castle Hills’ grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Castle Hills, and Castle Hills’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 19%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #329 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Castle Hills’ 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, Castle Hills has more expected damage per building than 51% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Castle Hills: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Castle Hills flood? Sometimes: 47 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Castle Hills, from FEMA’s records: 26.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain3 claims · $123K
- The Thunderstorms2 claims · $5K
- The Early summer severe storms1 claim · $52K
Castle Hills 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Castle Hills
Disasters that paid out in Castle Hills itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Castle Hills), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms3 households applied for aid$9K to the City of Castle Hills for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$291K to the City of Castle Hills for repairs4 flood claims 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 Castle Hills after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Castle Hills archive →Get ready for what Castle Hills 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 Castle Hills
Is Castle Hills at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Castle Hills has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #329 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and hail (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Castle Hills flood?
Flood insurance has paid 47 claims in Castle Hills since 1981, $1.1M in all, or 26.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (3).
Is Castle Hills 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 Castle Hills?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Castle Hills’ 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 Castle Hills?
By FEMA money that reached Castle Hills, Severe Storms and Flooding (2002): $291K to the City of Castle Hills for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 3 paid, $123K.
Is Castle Hills at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Castle Hills’ rate for it is higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Castle Hills.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Castle Hills’ 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.