On FEMA’s figures, Elsa faces more hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elsa gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #495 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (62%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1980.
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 Elsa 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
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 Elsa’s grade
Hurricanes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elsa, and Elsa’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 30% (lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
C #495 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Elsa’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, Elsa has more expected damage per building than 77% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Elsa: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elsa flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elsa, from FEMA’s records: 10.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Dolly6 claims · $134K
- Hurricane Hanna5 claims · $23K
- Hurricane Allen1 claim · $3K
Elsa 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elsa
Disasters that paid out in Elsa itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Elsa), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding101 households applied for aid$372K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms39 households applied for aid$37K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding116 households applied for aid$107K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding38 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding23 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding109 households applied for aid$63K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2010Hurricane Alex116 households applied for aid$217K aid approved$5K to the City of Elsa for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Dolly629 households applied for aid$463K aid approved$98K to the City of Elsa for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $134K
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding288 households applied for aid$501K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Bret$17K to the City of Elsa 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 Elsa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elsa archive →Get ready for what Elsa 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.
- 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 Elsa
Is Elsa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elsa has higher expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #495 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (62%) and river and rain flooding (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Elsa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Elsa since 1980, $561K in all, or 10.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Dolly (6).
Is Elsa 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 Elsa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elsa’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 Elsa?
By FEMA money that reached Elsa, Hurricane Dolly (2008): 629 households applied for aid, $463K approved, and $98K to the City of Elsa for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Dolly: 6 paid, $134K.
Is Elsa at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Elsa’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elsa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elsa’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.