Photo: Billy Hathorn at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in New Braunfels as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Braunfels gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #370 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 587 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 New Braunfels’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What New Braunfels 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
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 New Braunfels’ grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in New Braunfels, and New Braunfels’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #370 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
New Braunfels’ residents live in 25 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, New Braunfels has more expected damage per building than 58% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, New Braunfels has lower expected damage per building than 54% (#185 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $73.8M, is the 162th largest of those 400.
Does New Braunfels flood? Yes: 587 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in New Braunfels, from FEMA’s records: 13.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain138 claims · $10.4M
- The Fall severe storms33 claims · $1.4M
- Tropical Storm Bill2 claims · $13K
New Braunfels is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Comal County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to New Braunfels
Disasters that paid out in New Braunfels itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of New Braunfels), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$18K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2023Severe Winter Storm$10K to the City of New Braunfels for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms558 households applied for aid$162K aid approved$246K to the City of New Braunfels for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey4 households applied for aid$287K to the City of New Braunfels for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding60 households applied for aid$126K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding5 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$15K to the City of New Braunfels for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$271K to the City of New Braunfels for repairs140 flood claims paid that year
- 1998Tx-flooding 10/18/98$1.9M to the City of New Braunfels for repairs154 flood claims paid that year
Its 2 counties have had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 2 counties, 1999–2006.
Old photos of New Braunfels after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the New Braunfels archive →New Braunfels and its neighbors
New Braunfels has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Braunfels | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 587 |
| Schertz | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Lake Dunlap | C−more damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 New Braunfels 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.
- 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.
- New Braunfels residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in New Braunfels
Is New Braunfels at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, New Braunfels has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #370 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does New Braunfels flood?
Flood insurance has paid 587 claims in New Braunfels since 1978, $38.5M in all, or 13.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 140 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (138).
Is New Braunfels 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 Comal County, 46% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in New Braunfels?
New Braunfels is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in New Braunfels?
By FEMA money that reached New Braunfels, Tx-flooding 10/18/98 (1998): $1.9M to the City of New Braunfels for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 138 paid, $10.4M.
Is New Braunfels at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and New Braunfels’ rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in New Braunfels.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where New Braunfels’ 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.