FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Palmview South than in 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palmview South gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (56%), then river and rain flooding (37%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2008.
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 Palmview South 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 Palmview South’s grade
Hurricanes are 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Palmview South, and Palmview South’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 37% (lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Palmview South’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Palmview South: $623K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Palmview South flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Palmview South, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Palmview South 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.The storms Palmview South remembers
None of the 26 disasters declared for Hidalgo County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Palmview South itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20081 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Ike, declared for Hidalgo County
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 Palmview South after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Palmview South archive →Palmview South and its neighbors
Palmview South is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
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 Palmview South 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 Palmview South
Is Palmview South at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palmview South has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (56%) and river and rain flooding (37%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Palmview South flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Palmview South since 2008, $5K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Palmview South 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 Palmview South?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Palmview South’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Palmview South at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Palmview South’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Palmview South.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Palmview South’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.