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Hays county courthouse historic district 2013Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0
C+Hazard risk
Natural hazards in San Marcos · FEMA

On FEMA’s figures, San Marcos faces more hazard damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Marcos gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #416 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%). Flood insurance has paid 678 claims here since 1979.

River and rain flooding 76%Hail 10%Tornadoes 9%

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

more than 62%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#416 of 642 in Texas
Hazard risk
C+#416 of 642
in Texas · higher than 62% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
76% of expected building damage
Flood claims
678
paid since 1979 · $25.6M
Flooded more than once
119
properties · 4 “severe repetitive loss”
Flood insurance
15% off
Community discount (class 7)

What stands out about San Marcos’ natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

678 paid flood claims since 1979$25.6M in all; 119 properties flooded more than once. More per home than 85% of U.S. towns.15% off flood insuranceFlood-proofing work earns San Marcos residents a discount through FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7).Moved out of harm’s way20 flood-prone properties bought out and cleared with FEMA grants.Remembers 2015388 flood claims were paid for 2015 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What San Marcos 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

76%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 4 times a year in the area

Hail

10%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 3 times a year in the area

Tornadoes

9%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts
Smaller shares here
 Strong wind Hurricanes Wildfire Winter storms Earthquakes Ice storms Cold waves Lightning Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind San Marcos’ grade

River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in San Marcos, and San Marcos’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 10%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.

Where San Marcos sits
San Marcos
Least damageMiddleMost damage

C+ #416 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).

San Marcos’ residents live in 19 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding76%Hail10%Tornadoes9%Everything else5%

The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, San Marcos has more expected damage per building than 65% of Texas towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $43.6M a year in losses across San Marcos: $12.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

A firm figure. It combines 19 census tracts by where San Marcos’ residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does San Marcos flood? Yes: 678 flood claims since 1979

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in San Marcos, from FEMA’s records: 22.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1979: 19 claims1980: 0 claims1981: 105 claims1982: 0 claims1983: 1 claim1984: 0 claims1985: 18 claims1986: 0 claims1987: 0 claims1988: 0 claims1989: 0 claims1990: 0 claims1991: 0 claims1992: 1 claim1993: 0 claims1994: 0 claims1995: 0 claims1996: 0 claims1997: 0 claims1998: 104 claims1999: 0 claims2000: 2 claims2001: 18 claims2002: 1 claim2003: 0 claims2004: 1 claim2005: 0 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 0 claims2008: 0 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 1 claim2013: 6 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 388 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 10 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 3 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims198119982015
19792026
Biggest named events
  • The Early summer storms207 claims · $15.9M
  • The Fall severe storms181 claims · $6.1M
  • The Torrential rain1 claim · $1K
678
paid claims since 1979
$25.6M
paid to owners
119
homes flooded more than once
$38K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
Each house = 2 homesFEMA “severe repetitive loss” (4)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
Community discount15% off flood insurance

San Marcos is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.

Insurance rates: Hays County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
20flood-prone properties bought out and cleared
Disasters

12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to San Marcos

Disasters that paid out in San Marcos itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of San Marcos), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding216 households applied for aid$1.4M aid approved$750K to the City of San Marcos for repairs
  2. 2023Severe Winter Storm$27K to the City of San Marcos for repairs
  3. 2021Severe Winter Storms630 households applied for aid$377K aid approved$29K to the City of San Marcos for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
  4. 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding465 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved$1.1M to the City of San Marcos for repairs
  5. 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding1,512 households applied for aid$6.1M aid approved$457K to the City of San Marcos for repairs
  6. 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$96K to the City of San Marcos for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
Show all 12
  1. 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$818 aid approved
  2. 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat1 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
  3. 2005Hurricane Rita$86K to the City of San Marcos for repairs
  4. 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$88K to the City of San Marcos for repairs
  5. 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$21K to the City of San Marcos for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
  6. 1998Tx-flooding 10/18/98$533K to the City of San Marcos for repairs104 flood claims paid that year
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in San MarcosHays County only

Hays County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. 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 Hays County, 2000–2008.

Were you here?

Old photos of San Marcos after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the San Marcos archive →
Next door

San Marcos and its neighbors

San Marcos is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.

Kyle: hazard risk B−Redwood: hazard risk B−KyleRedwoodSan Marcos
Lowest fifthSecondMiddleFourthHighest fifth
TownHazard riskMostly (buildings)Flood claims
RedwoodB−less damage than 52%river and rain flooding34
KyleB−more damage than 50%river and rain flooding5
San MarcosC+more damage than 62%river and rain flooding678

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.

Be ready

Get ready for what San Marcos faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hail
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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 Marcos residents get 15% off flood insurance.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in San Marcos

Is San Marcos at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Marcos has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #416 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and hail (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does San Marcos flood?

Flood insurance has paid 678 claims in San Marcos since 1979, $25.6M in all, or 22.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 119 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (207).

Is San Marcos 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 Hays County, 44% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.3% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in San Marcos?

San Marcos is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Marcos?

By FEMA money that reached San Marcos, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2015): 1,512 households applied for aid, $6.1M approved, and $457K to the City of San Marcos for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 207 paid, $15.9M.

Is San Marcos at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and San Marcos’ rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in San Marcos.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where San Marcos’ 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.