FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in El Lago than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, El Lago gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #526 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%), then hurricanes (35%). Flood insurance has paid 402 claims here since 1979.
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 El Lago’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What El Lago 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
Coastal 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 El Lago’s grade
River and rain flooding is 55% of the building damage FEMA expects in El Lago, and El Lago’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 5%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #526 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
El Lago’s residents live in 3 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, El Lago has more expected damage per building than 82% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across El Lago: $931K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does El Lago flood? Yes: 402 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in El Lago, from FEMA’s records: 317.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey100 claims · $8.4M
- Hurricane Ike53 claims · $4.2M
- Tropical Storm Claudette44 claims · $378K
El Lago is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Harris County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to El Lago
Disasters that paid out in El Lago itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of El Lago), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl337 households applied for aid$198K aid approved$281K to the City of El Lago for repairs
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms22 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey151 households applied for aid$169K aid approved$19K to the City of El Lago for repairs100 flood claims paid for it, $8.4M
- 2008Hurricane Ike193 households applied for aid$250K aid approved$506K to the City of El Lago for repairs53 flood claims paid for it, $4.2M
- 2005Hurricane Rita25 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$11K to the City of El Lago for repairs
Harris County has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Harris County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of El Lago after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the El Lago archive →El Lago and its neighbors
El Lago is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seabrook | Cmore damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 2,458 |
| El Lago | C−more damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 402 |
| Pasadena | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 5,531 |
| Taylor Lake Village | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 533 |
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 El Lago 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- El Lago residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in El Lago
Is El Lago at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, El Lago has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #526 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (55%) and hurricanes (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does El Lago flood?
Flood insurance has paid 402 claims in El Lago since 1979, $16.2M in all, or 317.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 45 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (100).
Is El Lago 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 Harris County, 48% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 16.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in El Lago?
El Lago is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in El Lago?
By FEMA money that reached El Lago, Hurricane Ike (2008): 193 households applied for aid, $250K approved, and $506K to the City of El Lago for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 100 paid, $8.4M.
Is El Lago at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (55%), and El Lago’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in El Lago.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where El Lago’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.