FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Los Indios than in 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Los Indios gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (70%), then river and rain flooding (25%). 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 Los Indios 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 Indios’ grade
Hurricanes are 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Los Indios, and Los Indios’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 25% (lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Los Indios’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $437K a year in losses across Los Indios: $243K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Los Indios flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Los Indios. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Los Indios 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Los Indios
Disasters that paid out in Los Indios itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Los Indios), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$676 aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Dolly34 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding1 households applied for aid$7K 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 Los Indios after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Los Indios archive →Get ready for what Los Indios 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 Indios
Is Los Indios at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Los Indios has higher expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (70%) and river and rain flooding (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Los Indios 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 Indios?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Los Indios’ 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 Indios?
By FEMA money that reached Los Indios, Severe Storms and Flooding (2025): 14 households applied for aid, $28K approved.
Is Los Indios at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Los Indios’ rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Los Indios.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Los Indios’ 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.