Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Kingsville than in 91% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kingsville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns, #634 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (63%), then river and rain flooding (31%). Flood insurance has paid 209 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 stands out about Kingsville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kingsville 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 Kingsville’s grade
Hurricanes are 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kingsville, and Kingsville’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 31% (higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts).
D #634 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kingsville’s residents live in 9 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, Kingsville has more expected damage per building than 99% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $26.6M a year in losses across Kingsville: $11.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kingsville flood? Yes: 209 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kingsville, from FEMA’s records: 18.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Allen88 claims · $413K
- The Early summer severe storms11 claims · $213K
Kingsville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kleberg County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kingsville
Disasters that paid out in Kingsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kingsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl$20K to the City of Kingsville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms275 households applied for aid$79K aid approved$5K to the City of Kingsville for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey1,292 households applied for aid$409K aid approved$73K to the City of Kingsville for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding454 households applied for aid$201K aid approved$625K to the City of Kingsville for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Dolly$47K to the City of Kingsville for repairs
- 2007Hurricane Dean$4K to the City of Kingsville for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$25K to the City of Kingsville for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding131 households applied for aid$278K aid approved19 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Bret$109K to the City of Kingsville for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
Kleberg County has had 19 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 Kingsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kingsville archive →Get ready for what Kingsville 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 Kingsville
Is Kingsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kingsville has higher expected damage per building than 91% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #634 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (63%) and river and rain flooding (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kingsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 209 claims in Kingsville since 1980, $1.8M in all, or 18.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Allen (88).
Is Kingsville 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 Kleberg County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kingsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kingsville’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 Kingsville?
By FEMA money that reached Kingsville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 454 households applied for aid, $201K approved, and $625K to the City of Kingsville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Allen: 88 paid, $413K.
Is Kingsville at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Kingsville’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kingsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kingsville’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.