FEMA puts Los Fresnos’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Los Fresnos gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #547 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (69%), then river and rain flooding (25%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1996.
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 Los Fresnos 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 Los Fresnos’ grade
Hurricanes are 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Los Fresnos, and Los Fresnos’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 25% (lower than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #547 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Los Fresnos’ residents live in 6 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, Los Fresnos has more expected damage per building than 85% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Los Fresnos: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Los Fresnos flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Los Fresnos, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Dolly2 claims · $5K
Los Fresnos 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Los Fresnos
Disasters that paid out in Los Fresnos itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Los Fresnos), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding252 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms82 households applied for aid$50K aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding175 households applied for aid$242K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2010Hurricane Alex30 households applied for aid$31K aid approved$16K to the City of Los Fresnos for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Dolly866 households applied for aid$897K aid approved$311K to the City of Los Fresnos for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $5K
Show all 8
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding45 households applied for aid$130K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Bret$4K to the City of Los Fresnos for repairs
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 Los Fresnos after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Los Fresnos archive →Los Fresnos and its neighbors
Los Fresnos 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Fresnos | C−more damage than 79% | hurricanes | 5 |
| Brownsville | C−more damage than 81% | hurricanes | 579 |
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 Los Fresnos 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 Los Fresnos
Is Los Fresnos at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Los Fresnos has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #547 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (69%) and river and rain flooding (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Los Fresnos flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Los Fresnos since 1996, $17K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Dolly (2).
Is Los Fresnos 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 Los Fresnos?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Los Fresnos’ 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 Los Fresnos?
By FEMA money that reached Los Fresnos, Severe Storms and Flooding (2025): 252 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Dolly: 2 paid, $5K.
Is Los Fresnos at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Los Fresnos’ rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Los Fresnos.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Los Fresnos’ 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.