More hazard damage per building is expected in Rio Hondo than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rio Hondo gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (56%), then river and rain flooding (40%). Flood insurance has paid 20 claims here since 1980.
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 Rio Hondo’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Rio Hondo 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 Rio Hondo’s grade
Hurricanes are 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rio Hondo, and Rio Hondo’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 40% (higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts).
D higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rio Hondo’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Rio Hondo: $764K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rio Hondo flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rio Hondo, from FEMA’s records: 25.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Dolly11 claims · $269K
- Hurricane Allen2 claims · $2K
Rio Hondo 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.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rio Hondo
Disasters that paid out in Rio Hondo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rio Hondo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding268 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2024Hurricane Beryl$6K to the City of Rio Hondo for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms39 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$5K to the City of Rio Hondo for repairs
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding8 households applied for aid$549 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding20 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding6 households applied for aid$822 aid approved
Show all 10
- 2010Hurricane Alex22 households applied for aid$22K aid approved$5K to the City of Rio Hondo for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Dolly803 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$135K to the City of Rio Hondo for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $269K
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding17 households applied for aid$50K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Bret$1K to the City of Rio Hondo 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 Rio Hondo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rio Hondo archive →Get ready for what Rio Hondo 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 Rio Hondo
Is Rio Hondo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rio Hondo has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (56%) and river and rain flooding (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rio Hondo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Rio Hondo since 1980, $338K in all, or 25.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Dolly (11).
Is Rio Hondo 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 Rio Hondo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rio Hondo’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 Hondo?
By FEMA money that reached Rio Hondo, Severe Storms and Flooding (2025): 268 households applied for aid, $2.0M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Dolly: 11 paid, $269K.
Is Rio Hondo at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Rio Hondo’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rio Hondo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rio Hondo’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.