Photo: Theunderratedtaco · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Mission faces more hazard damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mission 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 282 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 stands out about Mission’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Mission 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 Mission’s grade
Hurricanes are 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mission, and Mission’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).
Mission’s residents live in 30 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, Mission has more expected damage per building than 77% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $29.3M a year in losses across Mission: $19.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mission flood? Yes: 282 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mission, 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 Hanna54 claims · $1.6M
- Hurricane Allen8 claims · $22K
- Hurricane Dolly3 claims · $17K
Mission 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 Mission
Disasters that paid out in Mission itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mission), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding555 households applied for aid$1.7M aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2024Hurricane Beryl$13K to the City of Mission for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms516 households applied for aid$304K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding25 households applied for aid$11K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding1,600 households applied for aid$3.9M aid approved71 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding453 households applied for aid$319K aid approved$29K to the City of Mission for repairs
Show all 13
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding60 households applied for aid$545 aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding273 households applied for aid$91K aid approved
- 2010Hurricane Alex158 households applied for aid$134K aid approved$96K to the City of Mission for repairs36 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Dolly1,203 households applied for aid$792K aid approved$221K to the City of Mission for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $17K
- 2007Hurricane Dean$4K to the City of Mission for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding1,329 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Bret$8K to the City of Mission for repairs1 flood claim 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 Mission after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mission archive →Mission and its neighbors
Mission is 4th of the 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Sharyland | Cmore damage than 71% | hurricanes | 2 |
| Palmview | Cmore damage than 71% | hurricanes | 9 |
| McAllen | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 463 |
| Mission | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 282 |
| Palmhurst | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | — |
| La Homa | Cmore damage than 75% | hurricanes | 7 |
| Abram | C−more damage than 77% | hurricanes | 1 |
| Palmview South | C−more damage than 79% | hurricanes | 1 |
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 Mission 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 Mission
Is Mission at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mission 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 Mission flood?
Flood insurance has paid 282 claims in Mission since 1980, $8.5M 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 Hanna (54).
Is Mission 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 Mission?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mission’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 Mission?
By FEMA money that reached Mission, Severe Storms and Flooding (2018): 1,600 households applied for aid, $3.9M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Hanna: 54 paid, $1.6M.
Is Mission at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Mission’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mission.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mission’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.