Photo: Not home at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Laredo’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laredo gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #70 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 151 claims here since 1981.
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 Laredo’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Laredo 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
Hurricanes
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 Laredo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Laredo, and Laredo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
A #70 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Laredo’s residents live in 65 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, Laredo has less expected damage per building than 89% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Laredo has lower expected damage per building than 93% (#27 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $42.9M, is the 278th largest of those 400.
Does Laredo flood? Yes: 151 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Laredo, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Thunderstorms28 claims · $420K
- The Early summer storms9 claims · $387K
- Tropical Storm Harold1 claim · $7K
Laredo is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Webb County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Laredo
Disasters that paid out in Laredo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Laredo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl$5K to the City of Laredo for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms378 households applied for aid$127K aid approved$81K to the City of Laredo for repairs
- 2010Hurricane Alex318 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved$648K to the City of Laredo for repairs22 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding570 households applied for aid$890K aid approved$1.1M to the City of Laredo for repairs30 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Rita$164K to the City of Laredo for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$38K to the City of Laredo for repairs
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$24K to the City of Laredo for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Bret$15K to the City of Laredo for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1998Tropical Storm Charley$339K to the City of Laredo for repairs
Webb County has had 16 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Webb County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Laredo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Laredo archive →Laredo and its neighbors
Laredo is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Altos | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Rio Bravo | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Laredo | Aless damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 151 |
| Los Minerales | — | 0 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Laredo Ranchettes | — | 0 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| La Presa | — | 163 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Los Corralitos | — | 0 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Tanquecitos South Acres | — | 167 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| San Carlos I | — | 0 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 Laredo 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Laredo residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Laredo
Is Laredo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laredo has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #70 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Laredo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 151 claims in Laredo since 1981, $5.8M in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 21 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Thunderstorms (28).
Is Laredo 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 Webb County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Laredo?
Laredo is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Laredo?
By FEMA money that reached Laredo, Hurricane Alex (2010): 318 households applied for aid, $2.4M approved, and $648K to the City of Laredo for repairs. By flood claims, Thunderstorms: 28 paid, $420K.
Is Laredo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Laredo’s rate for it is lower than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Laredo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Laredo’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.