FEMA puts La Feria’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Feria gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #519 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (72%), then river and rain flooding (23%). Flood insurance has paid 209 claims here since 1983.
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 La Feria’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What La Feria 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 La Feria’s grade
Hurricanes are 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in La Feria, and La Feria’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 23% (lower than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #519 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
La Feria’s residents live in 7 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, La Feria has more expected damage per building than 81% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across La Feria: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does La Feria flood? Yes: 209 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in La Feria, from FEMA’s records: 61.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Hanna14 claims · $139K
- Hurricane Dolly8 claims · $143K
La Feria isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cameron County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to La Feria
Disasters that paid out in La Feria itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of La Feria), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding473 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved89 flood claims paid that year
- 2024Hurricane Beryl$3K to the City of La Feria for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms79 households applied for aid$46K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding353 households applied for aid$855K aid approved61 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding245 households applied for aid$272K aid approved15 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding36 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2010Hurricane Alex28 households applied for aid$58K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Dolly1,008 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$409K to the City of La Feria for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $143K
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding53 households applied for aid$101K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Bret$8K to the City of La Feria for repairs
Cameron County has had 27 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 La Feria after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the La Feria archive →La Feria and its neighbors
La Feria has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Feria | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 209 |
| La Feria North | — | 134 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Solis | — | 663 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Bixby | — | 294 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Bluetown | — | 271 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 La Feria 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 La Feria
Is La Feria at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Feria has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #519 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (72%) and river and rain flooding (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does La Feria flood?
Flood insurance has paid 209 claims in La Feria since 1983, $9.1M in all, or 61.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 46 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Hanna (14).
Is La Feria 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 Cameron County, 37% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in La Feria?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for La Feria’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 Feria?
By FEMA money that reached La Feria, Severe Storms and Flooding (2025): 473 households applied for aid, $2.4M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Hanna: 14 paid, $139K.
Is La Feria at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and La Feria’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in La Feria.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where La Feria’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.