Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Raymondville than in 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Raymondville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #632 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (70%), then river and rain flooding (24%). Flood insurance has paid 148 claims here since 1979.
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 Raymondville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Raymondville 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 Raymondville’s grade
Hurricanes are 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Raymondville, and Raymondville’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Lightning adds 4%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #632 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Raymondville’s residents live in 2 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, Raymondville has more expected damage per building than 98% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.2M a year in losses across Raymondville: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Raymondville flood? Yes: 148 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Raymondville, from FEMA’s records: 46.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Dolly18 claims · $159K
- Hurricane Allen14 claims · $67K
- Hurricane Hanna2 claims · $12K
Raymondville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Willacy County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Raymondville
Disasters that paid out in Raymondville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Raymondville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding479 households applied for aid$2.4M aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms66 households applied for aid$46K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding492 households applied for aid$265K aid approved14 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding517 households applied for aid$239K aid approved$207K to the City of Raymondville for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Hurricane Alex$47K to the City of Raymondville for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Dolly1,200 households applied for aid$698K aid approved$376K to the City of Raymondville for repairs18 flood claims paid for it, $159K
Show all 8
- 2007Hurricane Dean$2K to the City of Raymondville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Bret$33K to the City of Raymondville for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Willacy County has had 23 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 Raymondville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Raymondville archive →Get ready for what Raymondville 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 Raymondville
Is Raymondville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Raymondville has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #632 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (70%) and river and rain flooding (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Raymondville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 148 claims in Raymondville since 1979, $1.2M in all, or 46.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Dolly (18).
Is Raymondville 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 Willacy County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Raymondville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Raymondville’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 Raymondville?
By FEMA money that reached Raymondville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2025): 479 households applied for aid, $2.4M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Dolly: 18 paid, $159K.
Is Raymondville at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Raymondville’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Raymondville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Raymondville’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.