Refugio County Courthouse · Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Refugio faces more hazard damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Refugio gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #630 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (70%), then river and rain flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims here since 1978.
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 Refugio’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Refugio 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 Refugio’s grade
Hurricanes are 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Refugio, and Refugio’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 26% (lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts).
D #630 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Refugio’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, Refugio has more expected damage per building than 98% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Refugio: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Refugio flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Refugio, from FEMA’s records: 19.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Allen1 claim · $863
- Hurricane Harvey1 claim · $146K
Refugio isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Refugio County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Refugio
Disasters that paid out in Refugio itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Refugio), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl$34K to the Town of Refugio for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$20K to the Town of Refugio for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Harvey1,307 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved$7.1M to the Town of Refugio for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $146K
- 2008Hurricane Ike$6K to the Town of Refugio for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Claudette213 households applied for aid$255K aid approved$48K to the Town of Refugio for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Refugio 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 Refugio after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Refugio archive →Get ready for what Refugio 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 Refugio
Is Refugio at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Refugio has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #630 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (70%) and river and rain flooding (26%). 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 Refugio flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Refugio since 1978, $401K in all, or 19.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Allen (1).
Is Refugio 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 Refugio County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Refugio?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Refugio’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 Refugio?
By FEMA money that reached Refugio, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 1,307 households applied for aid, $2.0M approved, and $7.1M to the Town of Refugio for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Allen: 1 paid, $863.
Is Refugio at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Refugio’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Refugio.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Refugio’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.