Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Hidalgo as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hidalgo gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #328 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (67%), then river and rain flooding (24%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Hidalgo 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 Hidalgo’s grade
Hurricanes are 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hidalgo, and Hidalgo’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 24% (lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #328 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hidalgo’s residents live in 4 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, Hidalgo has more expected damage per building than 51% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Hidalgo: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hidalgo flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hidalgo, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Allen3 claims · $16K
Hidalgo 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.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hidalgo
Disasters that paid out in Hidalgo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hidalgo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding377 households applied for aid$2.9M aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms22 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding110 households applied for aid$122K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding112 households applied for aid$36K aid approved
- 2010Hurricane Alex8 households applied for aid$43K aid approved$46K to the City of Hidalgo for repairs
Show all 9
- 2008Hurricane Dolly44 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$27K to the City of Hidalgo for repairs
- 2007Hurricane Dean$10K to the City of Hidalgo for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding10 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
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 Hidalgo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hidalgo archive →Hidalgo and its neighbors
Hidalgo has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hidalgo | B−more damage than 51% | hurricanes | 4 |
| McAllen | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 463 |
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 Hidalgo 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 Hidalgo
Is Hidalgo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hidalgo has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #328 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (67%) and river and rain flooding (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hidalgo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Hidalgo since 1980, $230K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Allen (3).
Is Hidalgo 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 Hidalgo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hidalgo’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 Hidalgo?
By FEMA money that reached Hidalgo, Severe Storms and Flooding (2025): 377 households applied for aid, $2.9M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Allen: 3 paid, $16K.
Is Hidalgo at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Hidalgo’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hidalgo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hidalgo’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.