Storms, floods and disasters in San Perlita
San Perlita isn’t graded for hazard risk: San Perlita has 462 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2002.
What San Perlita 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.
Does San Perlita flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2002
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in San Perlita, from FEMA’s records.
San Perlita isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Willacy County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to San Perlita
Disasters that paid out in San Perlita itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of San Perlita), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding7 households applied for aid$30K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding84 households applied for aid$76K aid approved$28K to the City of San Perlita for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Hurricane Alex$4K to the City of San Perlita for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Dolly67 households applied for aid$83K aid approved$22K to the City of San Perlita for repairs
Willacy County has had 23 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 Perlita after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the San Perlita archive →Get ready for what San Perlita 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 Perlita
Does San Perlita flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in San Perlita since 2002, $34K in all.
Is San Perlita 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 Willacy County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in San Perlita?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for San Perlita’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 Perlita?
By FEMA money that reached San Perlita, Hurricane Dolly (2008): 67 households applied for aid, $83K approved, and $22K to the City of San Perlita for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in San Perlita.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where San Perlita’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.