Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Uvalde’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Uvalde gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #111 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1978.
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 Uvalde’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Uvalde 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
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 Uvalde’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Uvalde, and Uvalde’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 6% (higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #111 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Uvalde’s residents live in 5 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, Uvalde has less expected damage per building than 83% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.6M a year in losses across Uvalde: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Uvalde flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Uvalde, from FEMA’s records: 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2026-07-Texas-Flooding10 claims · $901K
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $57K
Uvalde isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Uvalde County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Uvalde
Disasters that paid out in Uvalde itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Uvalde), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$111K to the City of Uvalde for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1998Tropical Storm Charley$13K to the City of Uvalde for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Uvalde County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Uvalde after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Uvalde archive →Get ready for what Uvalde 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.
- 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 Uvalde
Is Uvalde at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Uvalde has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #111 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Uvalde flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Uvalde since 1978, $1.0M in all, or 3.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2026-07-Texas-Flooding (10).
Is Uvalde 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 Uvalde County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Uvalde?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Uvalde’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 Uvalde?
By FEMA money that reached Uvalde, Severe Storms and Flooding (2002): $111K to the City of Uvalde for repairs. By flood claims, 2026-07-Texas-Flooding: 10 paid, $901K.
Is Uvalde at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Uvalde’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Uvalde.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Uvalde’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.