On FEMA’s figures, La Joya faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Joya gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #288 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (54%), then river and rain flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1996.
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 Joya 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 Joya’s grade
Hurricanes are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in La Joya, and La Joya’s rate of hurricanes damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 36% (lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #288 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
La Joya’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 Joya has less expected damage per building than 55% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across La Joya: $614K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does La Joya flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in La Joya, from FEMA’s records: 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Hanna1 claim · $7K
La Joya 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to La Joya
Disasters that paid out in La Joya itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of La Joya), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding24 households applied for aid$41K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms19 households applied for aid$24K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding6 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding5 households applied for aid$391 aid approved
- 2010Hurricane Alex52 households applied for aid$316K aid approved$44K to the City of La Joya for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Dolly37 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$1K to the City of La Joya for repairs
Show all 7
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding34 households applied for aid$51K aid approved
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 Joya after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the La Joya archive →La Joya and its neighbors
La Joya has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Joya | B−less damage than 54% | hurricanes | 6 |
| Penitas | C+more damage than 56% | hurricanes | 5 |
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 Joya 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 Joya
Is La Joya at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Joya has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #288 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (54%) and river and rain flooding (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does La Joya flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in La Joya since 1996, $66K in all, or 3.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Hanna (1).
Is La Joya 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 Joya?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for La Joya’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 Joya?
By FEMA money that reached La Joya, Hurricane Alex (2010): 52 households applied for aid, $316K approved, and $44K to the City of La Joya for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Hanna: 1 paid, $7K.
Is La Joya at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and La Joya’s rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in La Joya.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where La Joya’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.