Photo: Darrylpearson · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Elgin than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elgin gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #95 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (15%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2012.
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 Elgin’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Elgin 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
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 Elgin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elgin, and Elgin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 15% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #95 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Elgin’s residents live in 5 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, Elgin has less expected damage per building than 85% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Elgin: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elgin flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2012
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elgin, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Elgin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bastrop County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elgin
Disasters that paid out in Elgin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Elgin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storm$146K to the City of Elgin for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms343 households applied for aid$210K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey81 households applied for aid$57K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding38 households applied for aid$188K aid approved$61K to the City of Elgin for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding44 households applied for aid$104K aid approved$51K to the City of Elgin for repairs
Bastrop County has had 19 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.
Also 7 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Bastrop County, 2000–2015.
Old photos of Elgin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elgin archive →Get ready for what Elgin 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.
- 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 Elgin
Is Elgin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elgin has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #95 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Elgin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Elgin since 2012, $32K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Elgin 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 Bastrop County, 21% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Elgin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elgin’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 Elgin?
By FEMA money that reached Elgin, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): 38 households applied for aid, $188K approved, and $61K to the City of Elgin for repairs.
Is Elgin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Elgin’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elgin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elgin’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.