Johnston, Joseph E., Confederate Reunion Grounds · Photo: TxHC. Original uploader was TxHC at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Mexia faces less hazard damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mexia gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #42 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%). Flood insurance has paid 17 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 Mexia 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
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
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 Mexia’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mexia, and Mexia’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
A #42 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mexia’s residents live in 4 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, Mexia has less expected damage per building than 94% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Mexia: $966K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mexia flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mexia, from FEMA’s records: 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Mexia isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Limestone County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mexia
Disasters that paid out in Mexia itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mexia), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$108K to the City of Mexia for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms263 households applied for aid$174K aid approved$11K to the City of Mexia for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding53 households applied for aid$99K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Limestone County has had 15 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.
Old photos of Mexia after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mexia archive →Get ready for what Mexia 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.
- 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Mexia
Is Mexia at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mexia has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #42 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mexia flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Mexia since 1979, $328K in all, or 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Mexia 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 Limestone County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mexia?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mexia’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 Mexia?
By FEMA money that reached Mexia, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 263 households applied for aid, $174K approved, and $11K to the City of Mexia for repairs.
Is Mexia at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Mexia’s rate for it is lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mexia.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mexia’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.