Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Dilley’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 95% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dilley gets an A+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns, #18 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then hurricanes (11%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Dilley 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
Hurricanes
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 Dilley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dilley, and Dilley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 11% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #18 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dilley’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, Dilley has less expected damage per building than 97% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Dilley: $340K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dilley flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Dilley. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Dilley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Frio County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dilley
Disasters that paid out in Dilley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dilley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding5 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$2K to the City of Dilley for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Claudette110 households applied for aid$130K aid approved$6K to the City of Dilley for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$23K to the City of Dilley for repairs
Frio 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 Dilley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dilley archive →Dilley and its neighbors
Dilley has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dilley | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Hilltop | — | 688 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Dilley 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.
- 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.
- 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 Dilley
Is Dilley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dilley has lower expected damage per building than 95% of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #18 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and hurricanes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Dilley 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 Frio County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Dilley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dilley’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 Dilley?
By FEMA money that reached Dilley, Hurricane Claudette (2003): 110 households applied for aid, $130K approved, and $6K to the City of Dilley for repairs.
Is Dilley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Dilley’s rate for it is lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dilley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dilley’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.