FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Sullivan City as in the typical U.S. town, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sullivan City gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns, #401 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%), then hurricanes (45%). 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 Sullivan City 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
Hail
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 Sullivan City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 45% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sullivan City, and Sullivan City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 45% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #401 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sullivan City’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, Sullivan City has more expected damage per building than 62% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Sullivan City: $580K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sullivan City flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Sullivan City. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Sullivan City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hidalgo County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sullivan City
Disasters that paid out in Sullivan City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Sullivan City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding176 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms28 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2010Hurricane Alex18 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$2K to the City of Sullivan City for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Dolly115 households applied for aid$76K aid approved$5K to the City of Sullivan City for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding95 households applied for aid$163K aid approved
Hidalgo County has had 26 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.
Old photos of Sullivan City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sullivan City archive →Sullivan City and its neighbors
Sullivan City 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sullivan City | C+more damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Cuevitas | — | 0 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 Sullivan City 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.
- 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.
- 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 Sullivan City
Is Sullivan City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sullivan City has higher expected damage per building than 60% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #401 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (45%) and hurricanes (45%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Sullivan City 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 Hidalgo County, 3.7% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Sullivan City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sullivan City’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 Sullivan City?
By FEMA money that reached Sullivan City, Severe Storms and Flooding (2025): 176 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved.
Is Sullivan City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (45%), and Sullivan City’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sullivan City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sullivan City’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.