Old St. Anthony's Catholic Church · Photo: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:25or6to4 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Robstown than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Robstown gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #550 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (63%), then river and rain flooding (32%). Flood insurance has paid 186 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 Robstown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Robstown 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 Robstown’s grade
Hurricanes are 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Robstown, and Robstown’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 32% (lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #550 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Robstown’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, Robstown has more expected damage per building than 86% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.9M a year in losses across Robstown: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Robstown flood? Yes: 186 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Robstown, from FEMA’s records: 43.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Allen50 claims · $98K
- The Heavy rains6 claims · $41K
- The Torrential rain4 claims · $10K
Robstown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Nueces County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Robstown
Disasters that paid out in Robstown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Robstown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms950 households applied for aid$919K aid approved$4K to the City of Robstown for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey3,071 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$448K to the City of Robstown for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $83K
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding1,473 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$206K to the City of Robstown for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike$10K to the City of Robstown for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1,441 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved14 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding1,114 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved41 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 1999Hurricane Bret$47K to the City of Robstown for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 1998Tx-flooding 10/18/98$25K to the City of Robstown for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
Nueces 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 Robstown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Robstown archive →Robstown and its neighbors
Robstown 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robstown | C−more damage than 80% | hurricanes | 186 |
| North San Pedro | — | 721 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 Robstown 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 Robstown
Is Robstown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Robstown has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #550 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (63%) and river and rain flooding (32%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Robstown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 186 claims in Robstown since 1979, $1.3M in all, or 43.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Allen (50).
Is Robstown 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 Nueces County, 17.4% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Robstown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Robstown’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 Robstown?
By FEMA money that reached Robstown, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 3,071 households applied for aid, $1.4M approved, and $448K to the City of Robstown for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Allen: 50 paid, $98K.
Is Robstown at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Robstown’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Robstown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Robstown’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.