Photo: Akissforme · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Mercedes than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mercedes gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #501 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (71%), then river and rain flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 241 claims here since 1978.
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 Mercedes’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Mercedes 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 Mercedes’ grade
Hurricanes are 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mercedes, and Mercedes’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 22% (lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts).
C #501 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mercedes’ residents live in 6 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, Mercedes has more expected damage per building than 78% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.5M a year in losses across Mercedes: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mercedes flood? Yes: 241 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mercedes, from FEMA’s records: 40.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Hanna14 claims · $929K
- Hurricane Dolly8 claims · $181K
- The 2026-06-Arthur-TS2 claims · $14K
Mercedes 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mercedes
Disasters that paid out in Mercedes itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mercedes), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding888 households applied for aid$7.3M aid approved38 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms211 households applied for aid$172K aid approved42 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding468 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved54 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding1,951 households applied for aid$6.4M aid approved49 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding316 households applied for aid$173K aid approved
Show all 11
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding120 households applied for aid$58K aid approved
- 2010Hurricane Alex231 households applied for aid$217K aid approved$20K to the City of Mercedes for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Dolly1,986 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved$159K to the City of Mercedes for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $181K
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding392 households applied for aid$763K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Bret$26K to the City of Mercedes for repairs
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 Mercedes after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mercedes archive →Mercedes and its neighbors
Mercedes is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weslaco | Cmore damage than 71% | hurricanes | 396 |
| Mercedes | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 241 |
| Heidelberg | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | — |
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 Mercedes 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 Mercedes
Is Mercedes at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mercedes has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #501 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (71%) and river and rain flooding (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mercedes flood?
Flood insurance has paid 241 claims in Mercedes since 1978, $8.9M in all, or 40.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 46 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Hanna (14).
Is Mercedes 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 Mercedes?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mercedes’ 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 Mercedes?
By FEMA money that reached Mercedes, Severe Storms and Flooding (2025): 888 households applied for aid, $7.3M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Hanna: 14 paid, $929K.
Is Mercedes at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Mercedes’ rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mercedes.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mercedes’ 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.