On FEMA’s figures, Sinton faces more hazard damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sinton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #618 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then hurricanes (43%). Flood insurance has paid 304 claims here since 1980.
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 Sinton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Sinton 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
Hurricanes
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 Sinton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sinton, and Sinton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 43%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D #618 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sinton’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, Sinton has more expected damage per building than 96% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Sinton: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sinton flood? Yes: 304 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sinton, from FEMA’s records: 136.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Heavy rains2 claims · $6K
- The Early summer storms2 claims · $10K
- Hurricane Allen1 claim · $2K
Sinton 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 Patricio County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sinton
Disasters that paid out in Sinton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sinton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms386 households applied for aid$268K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey1,596 households applied for aid$613K aid approved$51K to the City of Sinton for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $1K
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding71 households applied for aid$74K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Claudette51 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding249 households applied for aid$624K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Bret$7K to the City of Sinton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 7
- 1998Tx-flooding 10/18/98$21K to the City of Sinton for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
San Patricio County has had 27 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in San Patricio County, 2025–2025.
Old photos of Sinton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sinton archive →Sinton and its neighbors
Sinton has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sinton | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 304 |
| Morgan Farm | — | 358 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Rancho Chico | — | 384 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Sinton 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.
- 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.
- 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 Sinton
Is Sinton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sinton has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #618 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and hurricanes (43%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sinton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 304 claims in Sinton since 1980, $2.8M in all, or 136.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 76 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Heavy rains (2).
Is Sinton 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 Patricio County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 9.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sinton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sinton’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 Sinton?
By FEMA money that reached Sinton, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 1,596 households applied for aid, $613K approved, and $51K to the City of Sinton for repairs. By flood claims, Heavy rains: 2 paid, $6K.
Is Sinton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Sinton’s rate for it is higher than 77% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sinton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sinton’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.