More hazard damage per building is expected in San Benito than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Benito gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #548 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (68%), then river and rain flooding (27%). Flood insurance has paid 229 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 San Benito’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What San Benito 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 San Benito’s grade
Hurricanes are 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in San Benito, and San Benito’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 27% (lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #548 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
San Benito’s residents live in 10 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 Benito has more expected damage per building than 85% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.1M a year in losses across San Benito: $7.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does San Benito flood? Yes: 229 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in San Benito, from FEMA’s records: 24.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Dolly90 claims · $2.3M
- Hurricane Allen2 claims · $2K
- The Heavy rains2 claims · $3K
San Benito 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 San Benito
Disasters that paid out in San Benito itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of San Benito), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding2,360 households applied for aid$13.8M aid approved55 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms369 households applied for aid$293K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding61 households applied for aid$18K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding164 households applied for aid$70K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding83 households applied for aid$28K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Hurricane Alex198 households applied for aid$313K aid approved$68K to the City of San Benito for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 10
- 2008Hurricane Dolly4,513 households applied for aid$4.8M aid approved$1.2M to the City of San Benito for repairs90 flood claims paid for it, $2.3M
- 2007Hurricane Dean$4K to the City of San Benito for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding164 households applied for aid$423K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Bret$7K to the City of San Benito for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 San Benito after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the San Benito archive →San Benito and its neighbors
San Benito is 2nd of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harlingen | C−more damage than 79% | hurricanes | 1,539 |
| San Benito | C−more damage than 80% | hurricanes | 229 |
| La Paloma | C−more damage than 80% | hurricanes | — |
| Brownsville | C−more damage than 81% | hurricanes | 579 |
| El Camino Angosto | — | 95 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 San Benito 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 San Benito
Is San Benito at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Benito has higher expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #548 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (68%) and river and rain flooding (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does San Benito flood?
Flood insurance has paid 229 claims in San Benito since 1980, $7.4M in all, or 24.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 15 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Dolly (90).
Is San Benito 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 San Benito?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for San Benito’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 Benito?
By FEMA money that reached San Benito, Severe Storms and Flooding (2025): 2,360 households applied for aid, $13.8M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Dolly: 90 paid, $2.3M.
Is San Benito at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and San Benito’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in San Benito.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where San Benito’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.