More hazard damage per building is expected in Donna than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Donna gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #468 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (66%), then river and rain flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 54 claims here since 1985.
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 Donna 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
Hail
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 Donna’s grade
Hurricanes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Donna, and Donna’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 26% (lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
C #468 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Donna’s residents live in 11 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, Donna has more expected damage per building than 73% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Donna: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Donna flood? Sometimes: 54 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Donna, from FEMA’s records: 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Hanna10 claims · $181K
- Hurricane Dolly1 claim · $2K
Donna isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hidalgo County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Donna
Disasters that paid out in Donna itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Donna), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding1,086 households applied for aid$8.5M aid approved10 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms235 households applied for aid$248K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding200 households applied for aid$200K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding369 households applied for aid$512K aid approved9 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding55 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding250 households applied for aid$249K aid approved$154K to the City of Donna for repairs
Show all 11
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding371 households applied for aid$133K aid approved
- 2010Hurricane Alex309 households applied for aid$495K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Dolly1,364 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$472K to the City of Donna for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding286 households applied for aid$433K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Bret$24K to the City of Donna for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Hidalgo County has had 26 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 Donna after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Donna archive →Donna and its neighbors
Donna has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donna | Cmore damage than 70% | hurricanes | 54 |
| Midway South | C−more damage than 75% | hurricanes | — |
| Scissors | C−more damage than 78% | hurricanes | — |
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 Donna 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.
- 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.
- 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 Donna
Is Donna at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Donna has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #468 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (66%) and river and rain flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Donna flood?
Flood insurance has paid 54 claims in Donna since 1985, $1.3M in all, or 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Hanna (10).
Is Donna 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 Hidalgo County, 3.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Donna?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Donna’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 Donna?
By FEMA money that reached Donna, Severe Storms and Flooding (2025): 1,086 households applied for aid, $8.5M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Hanna: 10 paid, $181K.
Is Donna at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Donna’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Donna.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Donna’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.