More hazard damage per building is expected in Fair Oaks Ranch than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fair Oaks Ranch gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #509 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%), then hail (12%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 2002.
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 Fair Oaks Ranch 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
Hail
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 Fair Oaks Ranch’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fair Oaks Ranch, and Fair Oaks Ranch’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 12%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #509 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fair Oaks Ranch’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, Fair Oaks Ranch has more expected damage per building than 79% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.3M a year in losses across Fair Oaks Ranch: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fair Oaks Ranch flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 2002
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fair Oaks Ranch, from FEMA’s records: 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain5 claims · $85K
Fair Oaks Ranch isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bexar County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fair Oaks Ranch
Disasters that paid out in Fair Oaks Ranch itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fair Oaks Ranch), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storm$123K to the City of Fair Oaks Ranch for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms16 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$34K to the City of Fair Oaks Ranch for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$64K to the City of Fair Oaks Ranch for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
Bexar County has had 22 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.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Bexar County, 2006–2025.
Old photos of Fair Oaks Ranch after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fair Oaks Ranch archive →Fair Oaks Ranch and its neighbors
Fair Oaks Ranch is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1,003 |
| Fair Oaks Ranch | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
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 Fair Oaks Ranch 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.
- 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.
- 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 Fair Oaks Ranch
Is Fair Oaks Ranch at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fair Oaks Ranch has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #509 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hail (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fair Oaks Ranch flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Fair Oaks Ranch since 2002, $129K in all, or 2.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Torrential rain (5).
Is Fair Oaks Ranch 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 Bexar County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fair Oaks Ranch?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fair Oaks Ranch’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 Fair Oaks Ranch?
By FEMA money that reached Fair Oaks Ranch, Severe Winter Storm (2023): $123K to the City of Fair Oaks Ranch for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 5 paid, $85K.
Is Fair Oaks Ranch at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Fair Oaks Ranch’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fair Oaks Ranch.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fair Oaks Ranch’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.