Winters-Wimberley House · Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Wimberley’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wimberley gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #573 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 162 claims here since 2007.
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 Wimberley’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wimberley 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
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 Wimberley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wimberley, and Wimberley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 6%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #573 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wimberley’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, Wimberley has more expected damage per building than 89% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Wimberley: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wimberley flood? Yes: 162 flood claims since 2007
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wimberley, from FEMA’s records: 112.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms117 claims · $20.4M
- The Fall severe storms29 claims · $1.3M
Wimberley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hays County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wimberley
Disasters that paid out in Wimberley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wimberley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2023Severe Winter Storm$64K to the City of Wimberley for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms92 households applied for aid$49K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding83 households applied for aid$221K aid approved$57K to the City of Wimberley for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding427 households applied for aid$2.6M aid approved$80K to the City of Wimberley for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$92K to the City of Wimberley for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$7K to the City of Wimberley for repairs
Hays County has had 18 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.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Hays County, 2000–2008.
Old photos of Wimberley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wimberley archive →Get ready for what Wimberley 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.
- 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 Wimberley
Is Wimberley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wimberley has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #573 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hail (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wimberley flood?
Flood insurance has paid 162 claims in Wimberley since 2007, $22.0M in all, or 112.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 20 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (117).
Is Wimberley 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 Hays County, 44% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wimberley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wimberley’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 Wimberley?
By FEMA money that reached Wimberley, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2015): 427 households applied for aid, $2.6M approved, and $80K to the City of Wimberley for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 117 paid, $20.4M.
Is Wimberley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Wimberley’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wimberley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wimberley’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.