Photo: Billy Hathorn at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Eagle Pass than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eagle Pass gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #4 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 85 claims here since 1992.
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 Eagle Pass’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Eagle Pass 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
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 Pass’ grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Eagle Pass, and Eagle Pass’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #4 of 642 in Texas; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Eagle Pass’ 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, Eagle Pass has less expected damage per building than 100% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.1M a year in losses across Eagle Pass: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Eagle Pass flood? Sometimes: 85 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Eagle Pass, from FEMA’s records: 8.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-06-Arthur-TS1 claim · $96K
Eagle Pass isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Maverick County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Eagle Pass
Disasters that paid out in Eagle Pass itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Eagle Pass), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms1,034 households applied for aid$639K aid approved$7K to the City of Eagle Pass for repairs
- 2010Hurricane Alex54 households applied for aid$247K aid approved$171K to the City of Eagle Pass for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes548 households applied for aid$2.8M aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 1998Tropical Storm Charley$261K to the City of Eagle Pass for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Maverick County has had 11 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 Eagle Pass after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Eagle Pass archive →Eagle Pass and its neighbors
Eagle Pass is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chula Vista | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Eagle Pass | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 85 |
| Eidson Road | A+less damage than 97% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Seco Mines | — | 644 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Fabrica | — | 774 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 Eagle Pass 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.
- 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 Pass
Is Eagle Pass at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eagle Pass has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #4 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Eagle Pass flood?
Flood insurance has paid 85 claims in Eagle Pass since 1992, $2.8M in all, or 8.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 19 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2026-06-Arthur-TS (1).
Is Eagle Pass 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 Maverick County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Eagle Pass?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Eagle Pass’ 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 Pass?
By FEMA money that reached Eagle Pass, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2007): 548 households applied for aid, $2.8M approved. By flood claims, 2026-06-Arthur-TS: 1 paid, $96K.
Is Eagle Pass at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Eagle Pass’ rate for it is lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Eagle Pass.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Eagle Pass’ 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.