Fort Concho Historic District · Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts San Angelo’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Angelo gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #97 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%), then hail (15%). Flood insurance has paid 86 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 San Angelo’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What San Angelo 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
Hail
Tornadoes
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 San Angelo’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in San Angelo, and San Angelo’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 15%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #97 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
San Angelo’s residents live in 25 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, San Angelo has less expected damage per building than 85% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, San Angelo has lower expected damage per building than 90% (#39 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $20.6M, is the 386th largest of those 400.
Does San Angelo flood? Sometimes: 86 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in San Angelo, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025 July Central TX Flooding22 claims · $2.2M
- The Early summer storms11 claims · $472K
- The Torrential rain3 claims · $8K
San Angelo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tom Green County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to San Angelo
Disasters that paid out in San Angelo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of San Angelo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1,887 households applied for aid$12.9M aid approved$665K to the City of San Angelo for repairs25 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms632 households applied for aid$425K aid approved$281K to the City of San Angelo for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$116K to the City of San Angelo for repairs
Tom Green County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Tom Green County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of San Angelo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the San Angelo archive →Get ready for what San Angelo 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 San Angelo
Is San Angelo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Angelo has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #97 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and hail (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does San Angelo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 86 claims in San Angelo since 1978, $3.6M in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2025 July Central TX Flooding (22).
Is San Angelo 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 Tom Green County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in San Angelo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for San Angelo’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 San Angelo?
By FEMA money that reached San Angelo, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2025): 1,887 households applied for aid, $12.9M approved, and $665K to the City of San Angelo for repairs. By flood claims, 2025 July Central TX Flooding: 22 paid, $2.2M.
Is San Angelo at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and San Angelo’s rate for it is lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in San Angelo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where San Angelo’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.