Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Lago Vista’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lago Vista gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #471 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 54 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 Lago Vista’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lago Vista 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
Hail
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 Lago Vista’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lago Vista, and Lago Vista’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 8%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C #471 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lago Vista’s residents live in 4 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, Lago Vista has more expected damage per building than 73% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.9M a year in losses across Lago Vista: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lago Vista flood? Sometimes: 54 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lago Vista, from FEMA’s records: 11.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Fall 2018 Texas Flooding25 claims · $686K
- The Thunderstorms7 claims · $288K
Lago Vista isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Travis County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lago Vista
Disasters that paid out in Lago Vista itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lago Vista), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding54 households applied for aid$107K aid approved$134K to the City of Lago Vista for repairs
- 2023Severe Winter Storm$128K to the City of Lago Vista for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms81 households applied for aid$32K aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$66K to the City of Lago Vista for repairs25 flood claims paid that year
Travis County has had 26 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 6 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Travis County, 2006–2011.
Old photos of Lago Vista after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lago Vista archive →Lago Vista and its neighbors
Lago Vista 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lago Vista | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 54 |
| Jonestown | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 19 |
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 Lago Vista 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.
- 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.
- 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 Lago Vista
Is Lago Vista at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lago Vista has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #471 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hail (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lago Vista flood?
Flood insurance has paid 54 claims in Lago Vista since 1991, $1.4M in all, or 11.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Fall 2018 Texas Flooding (25).
Is Lago Vista 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 Travis County, 53% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lago Vista?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lago Vista’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 Lago Vista?
By FEMA money that reached Lago Vista, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2025): 54 households applied for aid, $107K approved, and $134K to the City of Lago Vista for repairs. By flood claims, Fall 2018 Texas Flooding: 25 paid, $686K.
Is Lago Vista at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Lago Vista’s rate for it is higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lago Vista.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lago Vista’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.