On FEMA’s figures, Somerset faces less hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Somerset gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then hail (24%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Somerset 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 Somerset’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Somerset, and Somerset’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 24%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Somerset’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $439K a year in losses across Somerset: $234K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Somerset flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Somerset. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Somerset isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bexar County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Somerset
Disasters that paid out in Somerset itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Somerset), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms49 households applied for aid$47K aid approved
- 2007Tropical Storm Erin1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms and Tornadoes34 households applied for aid$60K aid approved
- 1998Tx-flooding 10/18/98$2K to the City of Somerset for repairs
Bexar County has had 22 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 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Bexar County, 2006–2025.
Old photos of Somerset after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Somerset archive →Get ready for what Somerset 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 Somerset
Is Somerset at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Somerset has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and hail (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Somerset 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 Bexar County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Somerset?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Somerset’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 Somerset?
By FEMA money that reached Somerset, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2007): 34 households applied for aid, $60K approved.
Is Somerset at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Somerset’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Somerset.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Somerset’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.