Photo: Jouaienttoi · CC BY-SA 4.0For hail, San Antonio’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Antonio gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #428 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%), then hail (18%). Flood insurance has paid 1,003 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 Antonio’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What San Antonio 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 Antonio’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in San Antonio, and San Antonio’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 18%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #428 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
San Antonio’s residents live in 341 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 Antonio has more expected damage per building than 67% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, San Antonio has higher expected damage per building than 55% (#221 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $434M, is the 13th largest of those 400.
Does San Antonio flood? Yes: 1,003 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in San Antonio, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain97 claims · $1.7M
- Tropical Storm Erin19 claims · $643K
- The Early summer storms7 claims · $23K
San Antonio is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Bexar County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to San Antonio
Disasters that paid out in San Antonio itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of San Antonio), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms17,520 households applied for aid$7.8M aid approved$4.2M to the City of San Antonio for repairs27 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey22 households applied for aid$2K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Dolly1 households applied for aid$35K to the City of San Antonio for repairs
- 2007Tropical Storm Erin511 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved19 flood claims paid for it, $643K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$37.7M to the City of San Antonio for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$1.6M to the City of San Antonio for repairs100 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 1998Tx-flooding 10/18/98$1.2M to the City of San Antonio for repairs202 flood claims paid that year
Bexar County has had 22 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.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Bexar County, 2006–2025.
Old photos of San Antonio after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the San Antonio archive →San Antonio and its neighbors
San Antonio is 6th of the 11 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirby | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Windcrest | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Live Oak | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Timberwood Park | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Helotes | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| San Antonio | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1,003 |
| Converse | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Schertz | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Cross Mountain | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Fair Oaks Ranch | Cmore damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 9 |
| Selma | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 San Antonio 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.
- San Antonio residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in San Antonio
Is San Antonio at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Antonio has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #428 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hail (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does San Antonio flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,003 claims in San Antonio since 1978, $21.6M in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 99 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (97).
Is San Antonio 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 Bexar County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in San Antonio?
San Antonio is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. 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 Antonio?
By FEMA money that reached San Antonio, Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (2005): $37.7M to the City of San Antonio for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 97 paid, $1.7M.
Is San Antonio at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and San Antonio’s rate for it is higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in San Antonio.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where San Antonio’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.