Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Castroville than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Castroville gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #463 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 7 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 Castroville 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
Strong wind
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 Castroville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in Castroville, and Castroville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C #463 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Castroville’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, Castroville has more expected damage per building than 72% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Castroville: $790K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Castroville flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2002
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Castroville, from FEMA’s records: 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain6 claims · $542K
Castroville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Medina County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Castroville
Disasters that paid out in Castroville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Castroville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms67 households applied for aid$44K aid approved
- 2007Tropical Storm Erin6 households applied for aid$36K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$402K to the City of Castroville for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
Medina County has had 14 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 Castroville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Castroville archive →Get ready for what Castroville 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Castroville
Is Castroville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Castroville has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #463 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 Castroville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Castroville since 2002, $569K in all, or 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Torrential rain (6).
Is Castroville 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 Medina County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Castroville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Castroville’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 Castroville?
By FEMA money that reached Castroville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2002): $402K to the City of Castroville for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 6 paid, $542K.
Is Castroville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and Castroville’s rate for it is higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Castroville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Castroville’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.