FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Rancho Viejo than in 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rancho Viejo gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns, #606 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (60%), then river and rain flooding (36%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1996.
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 Rancho Viejo 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 Rancho Viejo’s grade
Hurricanes are 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rancho Viejo, and Rancho Viejo’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 36% (higher than 50% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #606 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Rancho Viejo’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Rancho Viejo has more expected damage per building than 94% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Rancho Viejo: $988K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rancho Viejo flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rancho Viejo, from FEMA’s records: 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Dolly3 claims · $28K
Rancho Viejo 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 Rancho Viejo
Disasters that paid out in Rancho Viejo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Rancho Viejo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms5 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2010Hurricane Alex1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$6K to the Town of Rancho Viejo for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike$2K to the Town of Rancho Viejo for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Dolly24 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$14K to the Town of Rancho Viejo for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $28K
- 1999Hurricane Bret$2K to the Town of Rancho Viejo 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 Rancho Viejo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rancho Viejo archive →Rancho Viejo and its neighbors
Rancho Viejo has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rancho Viejo | C−more damage than 85% | hurricanes | 7 |
| Olmito | — | 887 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Rancho Viejo 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 Rancho Viejo
Is Rancho Viejo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rancho Viejo has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #606 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (60%) and river and rain flooding (36%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rancho Viejo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Rancho Viejo since 1996, $42K in all, or 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Dolly (3).
Is Rancho Viejo 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 Rancho Viejo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rancho Viejo’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 Rancho Viejo?
By FEMA money that reached Rancho Viejo, Hurricane Dolly (2008): 24 households applied for aid, $12K approved, and $14K to the Town of Rancho Viejo for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Dolly: 3 paid, $28K.
Is Rancho Viejo at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Rancho Viejo’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rancho Viejo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rancho Viejo’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.