San Felipe de Austin Historic and Archeological District · Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in San Felipe
San Felipe isn’t graded for hazard risk: FEMA’s tract figures aren’t matched to San Felipe yet. Flood insurance has paid 16 claims here since 1994.
What San Felipe 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
Tornadoes
Hurricanes
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.
Does San Felipe flood? Sometimes: 16 flood claims since 1994
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in San Felipe, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Harvey5 claims · $100K
- The Spring severe storms4 claims · $233K
- The Early summer severe storms3 claims · $734K
San Felipe isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Austin County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to San Felipe
Disasters that paid out in San Felipe itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of San Felipe), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl7 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms5 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey11 households applied for aid$10K aid approved5 flood claims paid for it, $100K
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding3 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding23 households applied for aid$132K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike14 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Austin County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of San Felipe after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the San Felipe archive →Get ready for what San Felipe 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Felipe
Does San Felipe flood?
Flood insurance has paid 16 claims in San Felipe since 1994, $1.4M in all. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (5).
Is San Felipe 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 Austin County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in San Felipe?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for San Felipe’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 Felipe?
By FEMA money that reached San Felipe, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 23 households applied for aid, $132K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 5 paid, $100K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in San Felipe.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where San Felipe’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.