FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Combes than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Combes gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #540 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (68%), then river and rain flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 136 claims here since 1982.
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 Combes’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Combes faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Combes’ grade
Hurricanes are 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Combes, and Combes’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 26% (lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #540 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Combes’ residents live in 4 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, Combes has more expected damage per building than 84% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Combes: $731K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Combes flood? Yes: 136 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Combes, from FEMA’s records: 107.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Dolly16 claims · $984K
- Hurricane Hanna1 claim · $2K
Combes isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cameron County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Combes
Disasters that paid out in Combes itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Combes), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding26 households applied for aid$123K aid approved67 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding37 households applied for aid$117K aid approved47 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Hurricane Alex1 households applied for aid$42K to the Town of Combes for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Ike$5K to the Town of Combes for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Dolly171 households applied for aid$152K aid approved$1.4M to the Town of Combes for repairs16 flood claims paid for it, $984K
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding5 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Bret$13K to the Town of Combes for repairs
Cameron County has had 27 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.
Old photos of Combes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Combes archive →Combes and its neighbors
Combes has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Combes faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Combes
Is Combes at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Combes has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #540 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (68%) and river and rain flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Combes flood?
Flood insurance has paid 136 claims in Combes since 1982, $9.8M in all, or 107.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 33 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Dolly (16).
Is Combes 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 Cameron County, 37% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Combes?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Combes’ 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 Combes?
By FEMA money that reached Combes, Hurricane Dolly (2008): 171 households applied for aid, $152K approved, and $1.4M to the Town of Combes for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Dolly: 16 paid, $984K.
Is Combes at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Combes’ rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Combes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Combes’ 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.