Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Kerrville faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kerrville gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #383 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 86 claims here since 1978.
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 Kerrville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kerrville 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
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 Kerrville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kerrville, and Kerrville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 5% (higher than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #383 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kerrville’s residents live in 12 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, Kerrville has more expected damage per building than 60% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.0M a year in losses across Kerrville: $6.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kerrville flood? Sometimes: 86 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kerrville, from FEMA’s records: 7.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain22 claims · $287K
- The 2025 July Central TX Flooding16 claims · $2.5M
- The 2026-07-Texas-Flooding15 claims · $886K
Kerrville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kerr County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kerrville
Disasters that paid out in Kerrville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kerrville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding2,407 households applied for aid$3.8M aid approved$1.1M to the City of Kerrville for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms152 households applied for aid$61K aid approved$130K to the City of Kerrville for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$832K to the City of Kerrville for repairs22 flood claims paid that year
Kerr County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. 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 Kerr County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Kerrville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kerrville archive →Get ready for what Kerrville 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.
- 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 Kerrville
Is Kerrville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kerrville has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #383 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and tornadoes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kerrville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 86 claims in Kerrville since 1978, $3.9M in all, or 7.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (22).
Is Kerrville 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 Kerr County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kerrville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kerrville’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 Kerrville?
By FEMA money that reached Kerrville, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2025): 2,407 households applied for aid, $3.8M approved, and $1.1M to the City of Kerrville for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 22 paid, $287K.
Is Kerrville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Kerrville’s rate for it is higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kerrville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kerrville’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.