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C−Hazard risk
Natural hazards in La Blanca · FEMA

More hazard damage per building is expected in La Blanca than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Blanca gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #515 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (61%), then river and rain flooding (31%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.

Hurricanes 61%River and rain flooding 31%Hail 5%

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

more than 75%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#515 of 642 in Texas
Hazard risk
C−#515 of 642
in Texas · higher than 75% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
Hurricanes
61% of expected building damage
Flood claims
0
paid since 1978 · $0
Disasters paid out here
7
of 26 declared for Hidalgo County
By hazard

What La Blanca faces

Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.

Hurricanes

61%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 8 years in the area

River and rain flooding

31%of expected building damage
Below average · lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 2 times a year in the area

Hail

5%of expected building damage
Well above average · higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 2 years in the area
Smaller shares here
 Tornadoes Ice storms Strong wind Earthquakes Wildfire Cold waves Lightning Winter storms Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity
People, not buildings.Counting harm to people as well as buildings, FEMA’s model puts cold waves at 39% of La Blanca’s expected losses. Cold waves do little damage to buildings (0.1%), so they aren’t part of the grade.

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind La Blanca’s grade

Hurricanes are 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in La Blanca, and La Blanca’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 31% (lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts).

Where La Blanca sits
La Blanca
Least damageMiddleMost damage

C− #515 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).

La Blanca’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
Hurricanes61%River and rain flooding31%Hail5%Everything else3%

The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, La Blanca has more expected damage per building than 80% of Texas towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $817K a year in losses across La Blanca: $331K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

A small-area figure. La Blanca covers 3 census tracts, combined by where residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does La Blanca flood? No paid flood claims on record

FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in La Blanca. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.

of all homes are insured
No community discount

La Blanca isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Hidalgo County.
Disasters

7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to La Blanca

Disasters that paid out in La Blanca itself (aid to households or repair grants to La Blanca), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2025Severe Storms and Flooding12 households applied for aid$88K aid approved
  2. 2021Severe Winter Storms10 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
  3. 2019Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$597 aid approved
  4. 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding8 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
  5. 2010Hurricane Alex33 households applied for aid$130K aid approved
  6. 2008Hurricane Dolly186 households applied for aid$523K aid approved
Show all 7
  1. 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding90 households applied for aid$151K aid approved
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in La BlancaHidalgo County only

Hidalgo County has had 26 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.

Were you here?

Old photos of La Blanca after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the La Blanca archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what La Blanca faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

Hurricane season
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hail
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in La Blanca

Is La Blanca at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Blanca has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #515 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (61%) and river and rain flooding (31%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Is La Blanca 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 Hidalgo County, 3.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.

How much is flood insurance in La Blanca?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for La Blanca’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 La Blanca?

By FEMA money that reached La Blanca, Hurricane Dolly (2008): 186 households applied for aid, $523K approved.

Is La Blanca at risk from hurricanes?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and La Blanca’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in La Blanca.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where La Blanca’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.