More hazard damage per building is expected in Palmview than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palmview gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #482 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (64%), then river and rain flooding (28%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 2016.
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 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 Palmview’s grade
Hurricanes are 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Palmview, and Palmview’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 85% of U.S. census tracts).
C #482 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Palmview’s residents live in 7 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, Palmview has more expected damage per building than 75% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.4M a year in losses across Palmview: $3.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Palmview flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Palmview, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Hanna5 claims · $500K
- The Early summer severe storms2 claims · $12K
Palmview 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Palmview
Disasters that paid out in Palmview itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Palmview), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding19 households applied for aid$65K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms23 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding26 households applied for aid$70K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding28 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$7K to the City of Palmview for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding3 households applied for aid$82K to the City of Palmview for repairs
- 2010Hurricane Alex11 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$7K to the City of Palmview for repairs
Show all 8
- 2008Hurricane Dolly58 households applied for aid$38K aid approved$19K to the City of Palmview for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding6 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
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 after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Palmview archive →Palmview and its neighbors
Palmview is 2nd of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doffing | Cmore damage than 70% | hurricanes | 2 |
| Palmview | Cmore damage than 71% | hurricanes | 9 |
| Mission | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 282 |
| Perezville | 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 Palmview 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 Palmview
Is Palmview at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Palmview has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #482 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 Palmview flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Palmview since 2016, $564K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Hanna (5).
Is Palmview 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?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Palmview’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 Palmview?
By FEMA money that reached Palmview, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2015): 3 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $82K to the City of Palmview for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Hanna: 5 paid, $500K.
Is Palmview at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Palmview’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Palmview.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Palmview’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.