Photo: 25or6to4 · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Falfurrias than in 90% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Falfurrias gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #633 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%), then hurricanes (42%). Flood insurance has paid 144 claims here since 1978.
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 Falfurrias’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Falfurrias 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
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 Falfurrias’ grade
River and rain flooding is 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Falfurrias, and Falfurrias’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 42%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #633 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Falfurrias’ 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, Falfurrias has more expected damage per building than 99% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.7M a year in losses across Falfurrias: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Falfurrias flood? Yes: 144 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Falfurrias, from FEMA’s records: 54.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Allen7 claims · $78K
- Hurricane Dolly1 claim · $19K
- Tropical Storm Paul1 claim · $9K
Falfurrias isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brooks County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Falfurrias
Disasters that paid out in Falfurrias itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Falfurrias), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms178 households applied for aid$164K aid approved$24K to the City of Falfurrias for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$11K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding2 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Bret$65K to the City of Falfurrias for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
Brooks County has had 16 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Brooks County, 2008–2008.
Old photos of Falfurrias after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Falfurrias archive →Get ready for what Falfurrias 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.
- 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 Falfurrias
Is Falfurrias at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Falfurrias has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #633 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (46%) and hurricanes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Falfurrias flood?
Flood insurance has paid 144 claims in Falfurrias since 1978, $1.1M in all, or 54.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Allen (7).
Is Falfurrias 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 Brooks County, 5% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Falfurrias?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Falfurrias’ 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 Falfurrias?
By FEMA money that reached Falfurrias, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 178 households applied for aid, $164K approved, and $24K to the City of Falfurrias for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Allen: 7 paid, $78K.
Is Falfurrias at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Falfurrias’ rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Falfurrias.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Falfurrias’ 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.