On FEMA’s figures, Laguna Vista faces more hazard damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laguna Vista gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #565 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (68%), then river and rain flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 61 claims here since 1979.
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 Laguna Vista’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Laguna Vista 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 Laguna Vista’s grade
Hurricanes are 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Laguna Vista, and Laguna Vista’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 26% (lower than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #565 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Laguna Vista’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, Laguna Vista has more expected damage per building than 88% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Laguna Vista: $898K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Laguna Vista flood? Sometimes: 61 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Laguna Vista, from FEMA’s records: 31.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Dolly15 claims · $132K
- Hurricane Allen15 claims · $30K
- Tropical Storm Claudette2 claims · $88K
Laguna 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: Cameron County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Laguna Vista
Disasters that paid out in Laguna Vista itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Laguna Vista), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms14 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$18K to the Town of Laguna Vista for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Hurricane Alex5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Dolly231 households applied for aid$155K aid approved$96K to the Town of Laguna Vista for repairs15 flood claims paid for it, $132K
- 2007Hurricane Dean$3K to the Town of Laguna Vista for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding6 households applied for aid$19K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
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 Laguna Vista after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Laguna Vista archive →Laguna Vista and its neighbors
Laguna Vista 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laguna Vista | C−more damage than 81% | hurricanes | 61 |
| Laguna Heights | — | 357 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 Laguna 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.
- 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 Laguna Vista
Is Laguna Vista at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laguna Vista has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #565 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (68%) and river and rain flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Laguna Vista flood?
Flood insurance has paid 61 claims in Laguna Vista since 1979, $668K in all, or 31.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Dolly (15).
Is Laguna 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 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 Laguna Vista?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Laguna 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 Laguna Vista?
By FEMA money that reached Laguna Vista, Hurricane Dolly (2008): 231 households applied for aid, $155K approved, and $96K to the Town of Laguna Vista for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Dolly: 15 paid, $132K.
Is Laguna Vista at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Laguna Vista’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Laguna Vista.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Laguna 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.