Old Lyford High School · Photo: Onleal91 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Lyford faces more hazard damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lyford gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (54%), then river and rain flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 1982.
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 Lyford 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 Lyford’s grade
Hurricanes are 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lyford, and Lyford’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Lightning adds 3%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Lyford’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Lyford: $930K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lyford flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lyford, from FEMA’s records: 21.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Dolly4 claims · $79K
- Hurricane Hanna1 claim · $8K
Lyford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Willacy County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lyford
Disasters that paid out in Lyford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lyford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding142 households applied for aid$889K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding141 households applied for aid$304K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding132 households applied for aid$104K aid approved$41K to the City of Lyford for repairs
- 2010Hurricane Alex1 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$13K to the City of Lyford for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Dolly487 households applied for aid$520K aid approved$100K to the City of Lyford for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $79K
- 1999Hurricane Bret$12K to the City of Lyford for repairs
Willacy County has had 23 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 Lyford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lyford archive →Get ready for what Lyford 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 Lyford
Is Lyford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lyford has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (54%) and river and rain flooding (42%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lyford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Lyford since 1982, $214K in all, or 21.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Dolly (4).
Is Lyford 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 Willacy County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lyford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Lyford’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 Lyford?
By FEMA money that reached Lyford, Severe Storms and Flooding (2025): 142 households applied for aid, $889K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Dolly: 4 paid, $79K.
Is Lyford at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Lyford’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lyford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lyford’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.