More hazard damage per building is expected in Mathis than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mathis gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #520 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (57%), then river and rain flooding (37%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1980.
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 Mathis 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 Mathis’ grade
Hurricanes are 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mathis, and Mathis’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 37% (lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #520 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mathis’ 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, Mathis has more expected damage per building than 81% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Mathis: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mathis flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mathis, from FEMA’s records: 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain2 claims · $7K
- Hurricane Allen1 claim · $8K
Mathis isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: San Patricio County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mathis
Disasters that paid out in Mathis itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mathis), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl$13K to the City of Mathis for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms480 households applied for aid$397K aid approved$25K to the City of Mathis for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Harvey1,189 households applied for aid$388K aid approved$75K to the City of Mathis for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding2 households applied for aid$308 aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding187 households applied for aid$142K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Claudette330 households applied for aid$363K aid approved$186K to the City of Mathis for repairs
Show all 9
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding121 households applied for aid$287K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Bret$8K to the City of Mathis for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1998Tx-flooding 10/18/98$19K to the City of Mathis for repairs
San Patricio 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Patricio County, 2025–2025.
Old photos of Mathis after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mathis archive →Get ready for what Mathis 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 Mathis
Is Mathis at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mathis has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #520 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (57%) and river and rain flooding (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mathis flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Mathis since 1980, $90K in all, or 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Torrential rain (2).
Is Mathis 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 San Patricio County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mathis?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mathis’ 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 Mathis?
By FEMA money that reached Mathis, Hurricane Claudette (2003): 330 households applied for aid, $363K approved, and $186K to the City of Mathis for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 2 paid, $7K.
Is Mathis at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Mathis’ rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mathis.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mathis’ 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.