Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Eagle Lake faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eagle Lake gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #395 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then hurricanes (41%). Flood insurance has paid 7 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 Eagle Lake 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 Eagle Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Eagle Lake, and Eagle Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 41% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #395 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Eagle Lake’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Eagle Lake has more expected damage per building than 61% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Eagle Lake: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Eagle Lake flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Eagle Lake, from FEMA’s records: 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Beta1 claim · $3K
Eagle Lake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Colorado County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Eagle Lake
Disasters that paid out in Eagle Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Eagle Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl85 households applied for aid$220K aid approved$92K to the City of Eagle Lake for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms163 households applied for aid$84K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey335 households applied for aid$414K aid approved$39K to the City of Eagle Lake for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$45K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding8 households applied for aid$43K aid approved
- 2011Wildfires4 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2005Hurricane Rita$2K to the City of Eagle Lake for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$4K to the City of Eagle Lake for repairs
Colorado County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Eagle Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Eagle Lake archive →Get ready for what Eagle Lake 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 Eagle Lake
Is Eagle Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eagle Lake has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #395 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and hurricanes (41%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Eagle Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Eagle Lake since 1985, $243K in all, or 5.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Beta (1).
Is Eagle Lake 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 Colorado County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Eagle Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Eagle Lake’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 Eagle Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Eagle Lake, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 335 households applied for aid, $414K approved, and $39K to the City of Eagle Lake for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Beta: 1 paid, $3K.
Is Eagle Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Eagle Lake’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Eagle Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Eagle Lake’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.