Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Schertz than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Schertz gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #473 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 52 claims here since 1985.
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 stands out about Schertz’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Schertz 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
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 Schertz’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Schertz, and Schertz’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 6% (higher than 89% of U.S. census tracts).
C #473 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Schertz’s residents live in 17 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, Schertz has more expected damage per building than 74% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $33.5M a year in losses across Schertz: $10.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Schertz flood? Sometimes: 52 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Schertz, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Allison3 claims · $75K
- Tropical Storm Bill1 claim · $3K
Schertz isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Guadalupe County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Schertz
Disasters that paid out in Schertz itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Schertz), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding9 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms282 households applied for aid$59K aid approved$88K to the City of Schertz for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Harvey$33K to the City of Schertz for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$7K to the City of Schertz for repairs
- 1998Tx-flooding 10/18/98$402K to the City of Schertz for repairs23 flood claims paid that year
Its 3 counties have had 30 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.
Also 7 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 3 counties, 1999–2025.
Old photos of Schertz after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Schertz archive →Schertz and its neighbors
Schertz is 7th of the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden Ridge | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Cibolo | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Randolph AFB | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | — |
| New Braunfels | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 587 |
| San Antonio | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1,003 |
| Converse | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Schertz | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Universal City | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Selma | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Schertz 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.
- 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 Schertz
Is Schertz at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Schertz has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #473 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and hail (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Schertz flood?
Flood insurance has paid 52 claims in Schertz since 1985, $1.1M in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Allison (3).
Is Schertz 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 Guadalupe County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Schertz?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Schertz’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 Schertz?
By FEMA money that reached Schertz, Tx-flooding 10/18/98 (1998): $402K to the City of Schertz for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Allison: 3 paid, $75K.
Is Schertz at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Schertz’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Schertz.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Schertz’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.