Photo: Satxra · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Weslaco than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Weslaco gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #478 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (66%), then river and rain flooding (25%). Flood insurance has paid 396 claims here since 1980.
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 Weslaco’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Weslaco faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Weslaco’s grade
Hurricanes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Weslaco, and Weslaco’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 25% (lower than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
C #478 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Weslaco’s residents live in 16 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, Weslaco has more expected damage per building than 74% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $16.3M a year in losses across Weslaco: $11.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Weslaco flood? Yes: 396 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Weslaco, from FEMA’s records: 22.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Hanna12 claims · $196K
- Hurricane Dolly4 claims · $55K
- The 2026-06-Arthur-TS4 claims · $28K
Weslaco 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.12 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Weslaco
Disasters that paid out in Weslaco itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Weslaco), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms and Flooding1,288 households applied for aid$8.3M aid approved40 flood claims paid that year
- 2024Hurricane Beryl$13K to the City of Weslaco for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms322 households applied for aid$190K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding337 households applied for aid$728K aid approved11 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding2,916 households applied for aid$13.8M aid approved199 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding23 households applied for aid$4K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 12
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding974 households applied for aid$2.5M aid approved$289K to the City of Weslaco for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding164 households applied for aid$43K aid approved
- 2010Hurricane Alex257 households applied for aid$441K aid approved$38K to the City of Weslaco for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Dolly2,026 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$559K to the City of Weslaco for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $55K
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding662 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Bret$22K to the City of Weslaco for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
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 Weslaco after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Weslaco archive →Weslaco and its neighbors
Weslaco is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midway North | Cmore damage than 70% | hurricanes | 2 |
| Weslaco | Cmore damage than 71% | hurricanes | 396 |
| Mercedes | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 241 |
| Midway South | C−more damage than 75% | hurricanes | — |
| Mila Doce | C−more damage than 76% | hurricanes | 16 |
| Llano Grande | C−more damage than 79% | hurricanes | 9 |
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 Weslaco faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Weslaco
Is Weslaco at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Weslaco has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #478 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (66%) and river and rain flooding (25%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Weslaco flood?
Flood insurance has paid 396 claims in Weslaco since 1980, $22.7M in all, or 22.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 70 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Hanna (12).
Is Weslaco 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 Weslaco?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Weslaco’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 Weslaco?
By FEMA money that reached Weslaco, Severe Storms and Flooding (2018): 2,916 households applied for aid, $13.8M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Hanna: 12 paid, $196K.
Is Weslaco at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Weslaco’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Weslaco.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Weslaco’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.