FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Meadowlakes than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Meadowlakes gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 1997.
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 Meadowlakes 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
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 Meadowlakes’ grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Meadowlakes, and Meadowlakes’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Meadowlakes’ residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Meadowlakes: $819K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Meadowlakes flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Meadowlakes, from FEMA’s records: 18.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Fall 2018 Texas Flooding7 claims · $249K
- The Thunderstorms2 claims · $37K
- The 2025 July Central TX Flooding1 claim · $779
Meadowlakes isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Burnet County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Meadowlakes
Disasters that paid out in Meadowlakes itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Meadowlakes), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$16K to the City of Meadowlakes for repairs
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$10K to the City of Meadowlakes for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$8K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
Burnet 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 Burnet County, 1999–2018.
Old photos of Meadowlakes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Meadowlakes archive →Meadowlakes and its neighbors
Meadowlakes is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marble Falls | C−more damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 99 |
| Meadowlakes | Dmore damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
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 Meadowlakes 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.
- 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 Meadowlakes
Is Meadowlakes at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Meadowlakes has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Meadowlakes flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Meadowlakes since 1997, $540K in all, or 18.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Fall 2018 Texas Flooding (7).
Is Meadowlakes 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 Burnet County, 53% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Meadowlakes?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Meadowlakes’ 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 Meadowlakes?
By FEMA money that reached Meadowlakes, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 3 households applied for aid, $2K approved, and $16K to the City of Meadowlakes for repairs. By flood claims, Fall 2018 Texas Flooding: 7 paid, $249K.
Is Meadowlakes at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Meadowlakes’ rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Meadowlakes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Meadowlakes’ 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.