Photo: Wkstormwater · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Universal City faces more hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Universal City gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #485 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%), then hail (14%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1979.
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 Universal 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
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 Universal City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Universal City, and Universal City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 14%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #485 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Universal City’s residents live in 4 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, Universal City has more expected damage per building than 76% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.6M a year in losses across Universal City: $4.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Universal City flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Universal City, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-07-Texas-Flooding1 claim · $21K
- Tropical Storm Bill1 claim · $4K
Universal 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: Bexar County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Universal City
Disasters that paid out in Universal City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Universal City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms165 households applied for aid$71K aid approved$24K to the City of Universal City for repairs
- 2007Tropical Storm Erin2 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 1998Tx-flooding 10/18/98$62K to the City of Universal City 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 Universal City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Universal City archive →Universal City and its neighbors
Universal City is 5th of the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Oak | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Randolph AFB | B−less damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | — |
| 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 Universal 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.
- 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 Universal City
Is Universal City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Universal City has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #485 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hail (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Universal City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Universal City since 1979, $60K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-07-Texas-Flooding (1).
Is Universal 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 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 Universal City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Universal 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 Universal City?
By FEMA money that reached Universal City, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 165 households applied for aid, $71K approved, and $24K to the City of Universal City for repairs. By flood claims, 2026-07-Texas-Flooding: 1 paid, $21K.
Is Universal City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Universal City’s rate for it is higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Universal City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Universal 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.