Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Karnes City than in 64% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Karnes City gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #221 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (45%), then river and rain flooding (39%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Karnes City 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
Tornadoes
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 Karnes City’s grade
Hurricanes are 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Karnes City, and Karnes City’s rate of hurricanes damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 39% (lower than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
B #221 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Karnes City’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, Karnes City has less expected damage per building than 66% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Karnes City: $853K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Karnes City flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Karnes City. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Karnes City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Karnes County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Karnes City
Disasters that paid out in Karnes City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Karnes City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms68 households applied for aid$69K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey152 households applied for aid$136K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Claudette207 households applied for aid$257K aid approved
Karnes County has had 11 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 Karnes City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Karnes City archive →Get ready for what Karnes City 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.
- 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.
- 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 Karnes City
Is Karnes City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Karnes City has lower expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #221 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (45%) and river and rain flooding (39%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Karnes City 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 Karnes County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Karnes City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Karnes City’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 Karnes City?
By FEMA money that reached Karnes City, Hurricane Claudette (2003): 207 households applied for aid, $257K approved.
Is Karnes City at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Karnes City’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Karnes City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Karnes City’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.