On FEMA’s figures, Primera faces more hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Primera gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #543 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (67%), then river and rain flooding (28%). Flood insurance has paid 129 claims here since 1991.
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 Primera’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Primera 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 Primera’s grade
Hurricanes are 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Primera, and Primera’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 77% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #543 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Primera’s residents live in 4 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, Primera has more expected damage per building than 85% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Primera: $903K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Primera flood? Yes: 129 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Primera, from FEMA’s records: 71.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Dolly11 claims · $341K
- Hurricane Hanna3 claims · $216K
- Hurricane Laura1 claim · $2K
Primera isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cameron County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Primera
Disasters that paid out in Primera itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Primera), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$14K aid approved60 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$17K aid approved51 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Hurricane Alex$3K to the Town of Primera for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Dolly6 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$11K to the Town of Primera for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $341K
- 2007Hurricane Dean$753 to the Town of Primera for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Bret$2K to the Town of Primera for repairs
Cameron County has had 27 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 Primera after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Primera archive →Primera and its neighbors
Primera 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 Primera 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 Primera
Is Primera at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Primera has higher expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #543 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (67%) and river and rain flooding (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Primera flood?
Flood insurance has paid 129 claims in Primera since 1991, $10.3M in all, or 71.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 21 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Dolly (11).
Is Primera 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 Cameron County, 37% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Primera?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Primera’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 Primera?
By FEMA money that reached Primera, Hurricane Dolly (2008): 6 households applied for aid, $11K approved, and $11K to the Town of Primera for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Dolly: 11 paid, $341K.
Is Primera at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Primera’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Primera.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Primera’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.