Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, San Saba faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Saba gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #294 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 10 claims here since 1997.
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 Saba 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
Hail
Tornadoes
Wildfire
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 Saba’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in San Saba, and San Saba’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 5%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #294 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
San Saba’s residents live in 2 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 Saba has less expected damage per building than 54% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across San Saba: $899K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does San Saba flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1997
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in San Saba, from FEMA’s records: 8.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025 July Central TX Flooding3 claims · $104K
- The Late winter severe storms1 claim · $38K
San Saba isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: San Saba County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to San Saba
Disasters that paid out in San Saba itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of San Saba), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding212 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$655K to the City of San Saba for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$13K to the City of San Saba for repairs
San Saba County has had 15 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 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Saba County, 1999–2000.
Old photos of San Saba after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the San Saba archive →Get ready for what San Saba 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Saba
Is San Saba at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Saba has lower expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #294 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hail (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does San Saba flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in San Saba since 1997, $211K in all, or 8.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2025 July Central TX Flooding (3).
Is San Saba 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 San Saba County, 3.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in San Saba?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for San Saba’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 Saba?
By FEMA money that reached San Saba, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2025): 212 households applied for aid, $1.9M approved, and $655K to the City of San Saba for repairs. By flood claims, 2025 July Central TX Flooding: 3 paid, $104K.
Is San Saba at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and San Saba’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in San Saba.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where San Saba’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.