Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Kyle as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kyle gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns, #321 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2001.
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 Kyle 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
Hail
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 Kyle’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kyle, and Kyle’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 9%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #321 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kyle’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, Kyle has less expected damage per building than 50% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.6M a year in losses across Kyle: $6.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kyle flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kyle, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Fall severe storms4 claims · $187K
Kyle isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hays County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kyle
Disasters that paid out in Kyle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kyle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storm$65K to the City of Kyle for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms362 households applied for aid$145K aid approved$9K to the City of Kyle for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Harvey6 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding211 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$268K to the City of Kyle for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding41 households applied for aid$116K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$95K to the City of Kyle for repairs
Hays County has had 18 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.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Hays County, 2000–2008.
Old photos of Kyle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kyle archive →Kyle and its neighbors
Kyle has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle | B−more damage than 50% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Buda | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
| San Marcos | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 678 |
| Mountain City | — | 787 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Kyle 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.
- 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.
- 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 Kyle
Is Kyle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kyle has higher expected damage per building than 50% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #321 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hail (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kyle flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Kyle since 2001, $191K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Fall severe storms (4).
Is Kyle 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 Hays County, 44% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kyle?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kyle’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 Kyle?
By FEMA money that reached Kyle, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2015): 211 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $268K to the City of Kyle for repairs. By flood claims, Fall severe storms: 4 paid, $187K.
Is Kyle at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Kyle’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kyle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kyle’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.