Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Pharr than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pharr gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #490 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (63%), then river and rain flooding (29%). Flood insurance has paid 86 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 Pharr’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pharr 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 Pharr’s grade
Hurricanes are 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pharr, and Pharr’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 29% (lower than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
C #490 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pharr’s residents live in 19 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, Pharr has more expected damage per building than 76% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $23.5M a year in losses across Pharr: $13.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pharr flood? Sometimes: 86 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pharr, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Hanna14 claims · $354K
- Hurricane Allen7 claims · $60K
- Hurricane Dolly5 claims · $37K
Pharr 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 Pharr
Disasters that paid out in Pharr itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pharr), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding2,047 households applied for aid$15.9M aid approved24 flood claims paid that year
- 2024Hurricane Beryl$18K to the City of Pharr for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms200 households applied for aid$108K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding45 households applied for aid$16K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding668 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved9 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding64 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$3K to the City of Pharr for repairs
Show all 13
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding42 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding183 households applied for aid$61K aid approved
- 2010Hurricane Alex119 households applied for aid$116K aid approved$42K to the City of Pharr for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Dolly675 households applied for aid$306K aid approved$43K to the City of Pharr for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $37K
- 2007Hurricane Dean$6K to the City of Pharr for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding283 households applied for aid$443K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Bret$13K to the City of Pharr for repairs
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 Pharr after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pharr archive →Pharr and its neighbors
Pharr has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharr | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 86 |
| McAllen | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 463 |
| San Juan | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 13 |
| Lopezville | C−more damage than 75% | hurricanes | — |
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 Pharr 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 Pharr
Is Pharr at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pharr has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #490 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (63%) and river and rain flooding (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pharr flood?
Flood insurance has paid 86 claims in Pharr since 1980, $1.8M in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Hanna (14).
Is Pharr 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 Pharr?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pharr’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 Pharr?
By FEMA money that reached Pharr, Severe Storms and Flooding (2025): 2,047 households applied for aid, $15.9M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Hanna: 14 paid, $354K.
Is Pharr at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Pharr’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pharr.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pharr’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.