Photo: Theunderratedtaco · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, McAllen faces more hazard damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McAllen gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #496 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (64%), then river and rain flooding (28%). Flood insurance has paid 463 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about McAllen’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What McAllen 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
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 McAllen’s grade
Hurricanes are 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in McAllen, and McAllen’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 28% (lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
C #496 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
McAllen’s residents live in 54 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, McAllen has more expected damage per building than 77% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, McAllen has higher expected damage per building than 66% (#265 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $52.6M, is the 231th largest of those 400.
Does McAllen flood? Yes: 463 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in McAllen, from FEMA’s records: 8.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Allen102 claims · $865K
- Hurricane Hanna20 claims · $261K
- Hurricane Dolly11 claims · $145K
McAllen isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hidalgo County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to McAllen
Disasters that paid out in McAllen itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of McAllen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding545 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved42 flood claims paid that year
- 2024Hurricane Beryl$16K to the City of McAllen for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms360 households applied for aid$88K aid approved$32K to the City of McAllen for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding31 households applied for aid$16K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding807 households applied for aid$2.5M aid approved48 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding52 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$3K to the City of McAllen for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
Show all 13
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding27 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding98 households applied for aid$21K aid approved
- 2010Hurricane Alex52 households applied for aid$40K aid approved$120K to the City of McAllen for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Dolly714 households applied for aid$341K aid approved$1.1M to the City of McAllen for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $145K
- 2007Hurricane Dean$36K to the City of McAllen for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding174 households applied for aid$236K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Bret$24K to the City of McAllen for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Hidalgo County has had 26 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 McAllen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McAllen archive →McAllen and its neighbors
McAllen is 4th of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hidalgo | B−more damage than 51% | hurricanes | 4 |
| Pharr | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 86 |
| Mission | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 282 |
| McAllen | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 463 |
| Edinburg | C−more damage than 75% | hurricanes | 349 |
| Alton | C−more damage than 80% | hurricanes | 3 |
| Granjeno | — | 315 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 McAllen 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.
- 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 McAllen
Is McAllen at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McAllen has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #496 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (64%) and river and rain flooding (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does McAllen flood?
Flood insurance has paid 463 claims in McAllen since 1979, $10.5M in all, or 8.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 39 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Allen (102).
Is McAllen 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 Hidalgo County, 3.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in McAllen?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McAllen’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 McAllen?
By FEMA money that reached McAllen, Severe Storms and Flooding (2018): 807 households applied for aid, $2.5M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Allen: 102 paid, $865K.
Is McAllen at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and McAllen’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McAllen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McAllen’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.