FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Edcouch than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Edcouch gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #521 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (60%), then river and rain flooding (33%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 2008.
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 Edcouch 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
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 Edcouch’s grade
Hurricanes are 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Edcouch, and Edcouch’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 33% (lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #521 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Edcouch’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, Edcouch has more expected damage per building than 81% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Edcouch: $516K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Edcouch flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Edcouch, from FEMA’s records: 9.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Dolly2 claims · $93K
- Hurricane Hanna2 claims · $22K
Edcouch 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 Edcouch
Disasters that paid out in Edcouch itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Edcouch), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding209 households applied for aid$986K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms88 households applied for aid$93K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding305 households applied for aid$518K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding85 households applied for aid$36K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding56 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
Show all 11
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding223 households applied for aid$90K aid approved
- 2010Hurricane Alex172 households applied for aid$483K aid approved$6K to the City of Edcouch for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Dolly665 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$27K to the City of Edcouch for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $93K
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding328 households applied for aid$505K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Bret$9K to the City of Edcouch for repairs
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 Edcouch after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Edcouch archive →Get ready for what Edcouch 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.
- 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 Edcouch
Is Edcouch at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Edcouch has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #521 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (60%) and river and rain flooding (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Edcouch flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Edcouch since 2008, $223K in all, or 9.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Dolly (2).
Is Edcouch 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 Edcouch?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Edcouch’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 Edcouch?
By FEMA money that reached Edcouch, Hurricane Dolly (2008): 665 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved, and $27K to the City of Edcouch for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Dolly: 2 paid, $93K.
Is Edcouch at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Edcouch’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Edcouch.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Edcouch’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.