For hail, St. Hedwig’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Hedwig gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then hail (22%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1998.
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 St. Hedwig 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 St. Hedwig’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in St. Hedwig, and St. Hedwig’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 22%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
St. Hedwig’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across St. Hedwig: $679K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does St. Hedwig flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in St. Hedwig, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
St. Hedwig 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.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to St. Hedwig
Disasters that paid out in St. Hedwig itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of St. Hedwig), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms24 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
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 St. Hedwig after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the St. Hedwig archive →Get ready for what St. Hedwig 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 St. Hedwig
Is St. Hedwig at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, St. Hedwig has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and hail (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does St. Hedwig flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in St. Hedwig since 1998, $206K in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is St. Hedwig 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 St. Hedwig?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for St. Hedwig’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 St. Hedwig?
By FEMA money that reached St. Hedwig, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 24 households applied for aid, $13K approved.
Is St. Hedwig at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and St. Hedwig’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in St. Hedwig.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where St. Hedwig’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.