Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Luling than in 66% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Luling gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns, #197 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then strong wind (16%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1998.
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 Luling 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
Strong wind
Tornadoes
Hail
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 Luling’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Luling, and Luling’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 16%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #197 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Luling’s residents live in 4 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, Luling has less expected damage per building than 69% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Luling: $982K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Luling flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Luling, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $20K
- Hurricane Harvey1 claim · $68K
Luling isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Caldwell County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Luling
Disasters that paid out in Luling itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Luling), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms86 households applied for aid$31K aid approved$67K to the City of Luling for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Harvey42 households applied for aid$43K aid approved$237K to the City of Luling for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $68K
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$682 aid approved$192K to the City of Luling for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding4 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$26K to the City of Luling for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$38K to the City of Luling for repairs
Show all 10
- 2011Wildfires1 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Rita$4K to the City of Luling for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$21K to the City of Luling for repairs
- 1998Tx-flooding 10/18/98$102K to the City of Luling for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
Caldwell County has had 17 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Caldwell County, 2000–2006.
Old photos of Luling after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Luling archive →Get ready for what Luling 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Luling
Is Luling at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Luling has lower expected damage per building than 66% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #197 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and strong wind (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Luling flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Luling since 1998, $549K in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 58% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Early summer storms (1).
Is Luling 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 Caldwell County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Luling?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Luling’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 Luling?
By FEMA money that reached Luling, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 42 households applied for aid, $43K approved, and $237K to the City of Luling for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 1 paid, $20K.
Is Luling at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Luling’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Luling.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Luling’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.