On FEMA’s figures, Lakeway faces more hazard damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lakeway gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #409 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1997.
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 Lakeway 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 Lakeway’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lakeway, and Lakeway’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 8%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #409 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lakeway’s residents live in 8 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, Lakeway has more expected damage per building than 64% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.5M a year in losses across Lakeway: $6.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lakeway flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lakeway, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025 July Central TX Flooding3 claims · $269K
- The Early summer storms3 claims · $59K
- The Torrential rain3 claims · $38K
Lakeway 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 Lakeway
Disasters that paid out in Lakeway itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lakeway), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Winter Storm$1.5M to the City of Lakeway for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms35 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$20K to the City of Lakeway for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding4 households applied for aid$14K aid approved3 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 Lakeway after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lakeway archive →Lakeway and its neighbors
Lakeway is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bee Cave | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Lakeway | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 14 |
| Point Venture | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Lakeway 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 Lakeway
Is Lakeway at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lakeway has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #409 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hail (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lakeway flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Lakeway since 1997, $430K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2025 July Central TX Flooding (3).
Is Lakeway 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 Lakeway?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lakeway’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 Lakeway?
By FEMA money that reached Lakeway, Severe Winter Storm (2023): $1.5M to the City of Lakeway for repairs. By flood claims, 2025 July Central TX Flooding: 3 paid, $269K.
Is Lakeway at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Lakeway’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lakeway.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lakeway’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.