Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in La Grange than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Grange gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #510 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 46 claims here since 1991.
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 Grange’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What La Grange 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
Hurricanes
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 La Grange’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in La Grange, and La Grange’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts).
C #510 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
La Grange’s residents live in 2 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 Grange has more expected damage per building than 79% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across La Grange: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does La Grange flood? Sometimes: 46 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in La Grange, from FEMA’s records: 19.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey32 claims · $3.7M
La Grange isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Fayette County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to La Grange
Disasters that paid out in La Grange itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of La Grange), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Harvey566 households applied for aid$5.4M aid approved$471K to the City of La Grange for repairs32 flood claims paid for it, $3.7M
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding65 households applied for aid$94K aid approved
- 2011Wildfires12 households applied for aid$88K aid approved
- 1998Tx-flooding 10/18/98$10K to the City of La Grange for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
Fayette 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Fayette County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of La Grange after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the La Grange archive →Get ready for what La Grange 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.
- 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.
- 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 La Grange
Is La Grange at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Grange has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #510 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does La Grange flood?
Flood insurance has paid 46 claims in La Grange since 1991, $4.3M in all, or 19.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (32).
Is La Grange 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 Fayette County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in La Grange?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for La Grange’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 Grange?
By FEMA money that reached La Grange, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 566 households applied for aid, $5.4M approved, and $471K to the City of La Grange for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 32 paid, $3.7M.
Is La Grange at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and La Grange’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in La Grange.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where La Grange’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.