On FEMA’s figures, Laureles faces more hazard damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laureles gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns, #583 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (63%), then river and rain flooding (32%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Laureles 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 Laureles’ grade
Hurricanes are 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Laureles, and Laureles’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 32% (lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #583 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Laureles’ 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, Laureles has more expected damage per building than 91% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Laureles: $772K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Laureles flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Laureles. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Laureles 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Laureles
Disasters that paid out in Laureles itself (aid to households or repair grants to Laureles), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$444 aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Dolly1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
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 Laureles after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Laureles archive →Get ready for what Laureles 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 Laureles
Is Laureles at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laureles has higher expected damage per building than 83% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #583 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (63%) and river and rain flooding (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Laureles 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 Laureles?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Laureles’ 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 Laureles?
By FEMA money that reached Laureles, Hurricane Dolly (2008): 1 households applied for aid, $2K approved.
Is Laureles at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Laureles’ rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Laureles.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Laureles’ 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.