Photo: Theunderratedtaco · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Harlingen than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harlingen gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #542 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (68%), then river and rain flooding (27%). Flood insurance has paid 1,539 claims here since 1979.
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 Harlingen’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Harlingen 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
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 Harlingen’s grade
Hurricanes are 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Harlingen, and Harlingen’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 27% (lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #542 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Harlingen’s residents live in 30 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, Harlingen has more expected damage per building than 84% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $30.3M a year in losses across Harlingen: $21.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Harlingen flood? Yes: 1,539 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Harlingen, from FEMA’s records: 52.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Dolly237 claims · $4.4M
- Hurricane Hanna34 claims · $409K
- Hurricane Allen14 claims · $191K
Harlingen isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cameron County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Harlingen
Disasters that paid out in Harlingen itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Harlingen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding3,406 households applied for aid$19.3M aid approved485 flood claims paid that year
- 2024Hurricane Beryl$18K to the City of Harlingen for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms354 households applied for aid$127K aid approved$11K to the City of Harlingen for repairs33 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding1,966 households applied for aid$5.5M aid approved232 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding463 households applied for aid$337K aid approved45 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding65 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2010Hurricane Alex114 households applied for aid$145K aid approved$84K to the City of Harlingen for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Dolly5,931 households applied for aid$5.3M aid approved$2.5M to the City of Harlingen for repairs237 flood claims paid for it, $4.4M
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding76 households applied for aid$162K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Bret$20K to the City of Harlingen for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Cameron County has had 27 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 Harlingen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Harlingen archive →Harlingen and its neighbors
Harlingen is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combes | C−more damage than 78% | hurricanes | 136 |
| Palm Valley | C−more damage than 79% | hurricanes | 224 |
| Harlingen | C−more damage than 79% | hurricanes | 1,539 |
| Primera | C−more damage than 79% | hurricanes | 129 |
| San Benito | C−more damage than 80% | hurricanes | 229 |
| Juarez | — | 196 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Las Palmas II | — | 808 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Lasana | — | 54 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Harlingen 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.
- 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 Harlingen
Is Harlingen at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Harlingen has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #542 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (68%) and river and rain flooding (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Harlingen flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,539 claims in Harlingen since 1979, $59.7M in all, or 52.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 211 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Dolly (237).
Is Harlingen 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 Cameron County, 37% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Harlingen?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Harlingen’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 Harlingen?
By FEMA money that reached Harlingen, Severe Storms and Flooding (2025): 3,406 households applied for aid, $19.3M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Dolly: 237 paid, $4.4M.
Is Harlingen at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Harlingen’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Harlingen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Harlingen’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.