Rio Grande City Downtown Historic District · Photo: David Bezanson · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Rio Grande City than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rio Grande City gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #411 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 2001.
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 Rio Grande City faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
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 Rio Grande City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rio Grande City, and Rio Grande City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 79% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #411 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rio Grande City’s residents live in 6 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, Rio Grande City has more expected damage per building than 64% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.5M a year in losses across Rio Grande City: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rio Grande City flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2001
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rio Grande City, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Rio Grande City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Starr County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rio Grande City
Disasters that paid out in Rio Grande City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rio Grande City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding515 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding$36K to the City of Rio Grande City for repairs
- 2010Hurricane Alex54 households applied for aid$244K aid approved$31K to the City of Rio Grande City for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Dolly$44K to the City of Rio Grande City for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding702 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$401K to the City of Rio Grande City for repairs
Starr County has had 17 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 Rio Grande City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rio Grande City archive →Rio Grande City and its neighbors
Rio Grande City has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande City | C+more damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Las Lomas | Cmore damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Santa Cruz | — | 285 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| El Mesquite | — | 32 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Ranchitos del Norte | — | 263 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 Rio Grande City faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Rio Grande City
Is Rio Grande City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rio Grande City has higher expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #411 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and hurricanes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rio Grande City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Rio Grande City since 2001, $166K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Rio Grande City 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 Starr County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rio Grande City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rio Grande City’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 Rio Grande City?
By FEMA money that reached Rio Grande City, Severe Storms and Flooding (2025): 515 households applied for aid, $2.3M approved.
Is Rio Grande City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Rio Grande City’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rio Grande City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rio Grande City’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.