Photo: Hot Furnace · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Fredericksburg faces less hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fredericksburg gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #150 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Fredericksburg 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 Fredericksburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fredericksburg, and Fredericksburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 4%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #150 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fredericksburg’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, Fredericksburg has less expected damage per building than 77% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.1M a year in losses across Fredericksburg: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fredericksburg flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fredericksburg, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Fredericksburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gillespie County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fredericksburg
Disasters that paid out in Fredericksburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Fredericksburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms379 households applied for aid$109K aid approved$131K to the City of Fredericksburg for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding$65K to the City of Fredericksburg for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$44K to the City of Fredericksburg for repairs
Gillespie County has had 14 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Gillespie County, 2025–2025.
Old photos of Fredericksburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fredericksburg archive →Get ready for what Fredericksburg 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 Fredericksburg
Is Fredericksburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fredericksburg has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #150 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fredericksburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Fredericksburg since 1980, $15K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Fredericksburg 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 Gillespie County, 1.2% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Fredericksburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fredericksburg’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 Fredericksburg?
By FEMA money that reached Fredericksburg, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 379 households applied for aid, $109K approved, and $131K to the City of Fredericksburg for repairs.
Is Fredericksburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Fredericksburg’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fredericksburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fredericksburg’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.