FEMA puts La Homa’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Homa gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #507 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (63%), then river and rain flooding (29%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 2018.
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 La Homa 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
Hail
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 Homa’s grade
Hurricanes are 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in La Homa, and La Homa’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 29% (lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
C #507 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
La Homa’s residents live in 5 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 Homa has more expected damage per building than 79% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across La Homa: $1.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does La Homa flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in La Homa, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Hanna1 claim · $9K
La Homa 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.The storms La Homa remembers
None of the 26 disasters declared for Hidalgo County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching La Homa itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20213 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Winter Storms, declared for Hidalgo County
- 20202 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Hanna, declared for Hidalgo County
- 20181 flood claims paidThe year of Severe Storms and Flooding, declared for Hidalgo County
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.
Old photos of La Homa after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the La Homa archive →La Homa and its neighbors
La Homa is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Homa 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.
- 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.
- 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 Homa
Is La Homa at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Homa has higher expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #507 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (63%) and river and rain flooding (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does La Homa flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in La Homa since 2018, $129K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Hanna (1).
Is La Homa 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 Homa?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for La Homa’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 Homa?
By flood claims, Hurricane Hanna: 1 paid, $9K.
Is La Homa at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and La Homa’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in La Homa.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where La Homa’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.