On FEMA’s figures, San Juan faces more hazard damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Juan gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #498 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (62%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 San Juan 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
Hail
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 Juan’s grade
Hurricanes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in San Juan, and San Juan’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 30% (lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
C #498 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
San Juan’s residents live in 11 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 Juan has more expected damage per building than 78% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.7M a year in losses across San Juan: $5.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does San Juan flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in San Juan, from FEMA’s records: 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Allen1 claim · $1K
San Juan isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hidalgo County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to San Juan
Disasters that paid out in San Juan itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of San Juan), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding431 households applied for aid$3.0M aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms156 households applied for aid$114K aid approved
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding15 households applied for aid$466 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding148 households applied for aid$76K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding26 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
Show all 10
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding173 households applied for aid$72K aid approved$91K to the City of San Juan for repairs
- 2010Hurricane Alex73 households applied for aid$318K aid approved$53K to the City of San Juan for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Dolly624 households applied for aid$276K aid approved$43K to the City of San Juan for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding316 households applied for aid$583K aid approved
Hidalgo County has had 26 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 Juan after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the San Juan archive →San Juan and its neighbors
San Juan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharr | Cmore damage than 72% | hurricanes | 86 |
| San Juan | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 13 |
| Lopezville | C−more damage than 75% | hurricanes | — |
| North Alamo | C−more damage than 78% | hurricanes | — |
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 Juan 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.
- 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.
- 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 Juan
Is San Juan at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Juan has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #498 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (62%) and river and rain flooding (30%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does San Juan flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in San Juan since 1979, $479K in all, or 1.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Allen (1).
Is San Juan 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 Hidalgo County, 3.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in San Juan?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for San Juan’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 Juan?
By FEMA money that reached San Juan, Severe Storms and Flooding (2025): 431 households applied for aid, $3.0M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Allen: 1 paid, $1K.
Is San Juan at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and San Juan’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in San Juan.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where San Juan’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.