Photo: Renegomezphotography · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Hondo than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hondo gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #180 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1997.
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 Hondo 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
Strong wind
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 Hondo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hondo, and Hondo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #180 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hondo’s 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, Hondo has less expected damage per building than 72% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Hondo: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hondo flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hondo, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $1K
Hondo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Medina County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hondo
Disasters that paid out in Hondo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hondo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms119 households applied for aid$52K aid approved
- 2007Tropical Storm Erin5 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding19 households applied for aid$38K aid approved$954 to the City of Hondo for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$4K to the City of Hondo for repairs
Medina 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.
Old photos of Hondo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hondo archive →Get ready for what Hondo 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Hondo
Is Hondo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hondo has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #180 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hondo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Hondo since 1997, $18K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (1).
Is Hondo 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 Medina County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hondo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hondo’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 Hondo?
By FEMA money that reached Hondo, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 119 households applied for aid, $52K approved. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 1 paid, $1K.
Is Hondo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Hondo’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hondo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hondo’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.