Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Cuero as in the typical U.S. town, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cuero gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #346 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (46%), then river and rain flooding (45%). 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 stands out about Cuero’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cuero 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
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 Cuero’s grade
Hurricanes are 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cuero, and Cuero’s rate of hurricanes damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 45% (lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #346 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cuero’s 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, Cuero has more expected damage per building than 54% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.6M a year in losses across Cuero: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cuero flood? Sometimes: 47 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cuero, from FEMA’s records: 15.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey3 claims · $198K
- Tropical Storm Allison2 claims · $147K
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $2K
Cuero isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: DeWitt County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cuero
Disasters that paid out in Cuero itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cuero), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms133 households applied for aid$94K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey1,080 households applied for aid$667K aid approved$766K to the City of Cuero for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $198K
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding$21K to the City of Cuero for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$6K to the City of Cuero for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$16K to the City of Cuero for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Claudette35 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$38K to the City of Cuero for repairs
Show all 7
- 1998Tx-flooding 10/18/98$971K to the City of Cuero for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
DeWitt County has had 17 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 Cuero after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cuero archive →Get ready for what Cuero 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.
- 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 Cuero
Is Cuero at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cuero has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #346 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (46%) and river and rain flooding (45%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cuero flood?
Flood insurance has paid 47 claims in Cuero since 1981, $1.8M in all, or 15.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (3).
Is Cuero 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 DeWitt County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cuero?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cuero’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 Cuero?
By FEMA money that reached Cuero, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 1,080 households applied for aid, $667K approved, and $766K to the City of Cuero for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 3 paid, $198K.
Is Cuero at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Cuero’s rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cuero.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cuero’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.