McAllen, TX Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: March 2026
McAllen is a major Rio Grande Valley city with extensive riverine SFHA zones along the Rio Grande and its floodplain. The combination of hurricane exposure and Rio Grande flooding creates dual flood threats for this growing border metro.
Hidalgo County has recorded 4,379 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $117.4M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 6
NFIP Policies
10,865
Hidalgo County
Avg. Premium
$524/yr
Hidalgo County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Hidalgo County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $55.3M
Hurricane Risk
Very HighEst. annual loss: $126.7M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Hidalgo County
Hidalgo County has been included in 20 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 12 earlier declarations since 1967.
These declarations affected communities across Hidalgo County, including McAllen.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Hidalgo County
Properties in Hidalgo County have filed 4,379 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $117.4M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $27K.
Highest-Claim Years
2020
843 claims - $22.9M
2018
728 claims - $40.0M
2025
440 claims - $24.0M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Hidalgo County
Only roughly 1 in 32 households in Hidalgo County carries NFIP flood insurance (3% of estimated households). With 113 recorded flood events and $431.0M in damage, most flood losses in this county are likely uninsured.
Penetration Rate
3%
roughly 1 in 32 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 3
4,379 claims over 45+ years across 10,865 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$26,801
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Hidalgo County has averaged 1 claim for every 3 active policies (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of March 2026, claims since 1978 (March 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include McAllen.
What Your Flood Zone Means in McAllen
McAllen faces a combination of coastal and inland flood risks. Storm surge from hurricanes and tropical storms pushes seawater inland, while heavy rainfall simultaneously overwhelms rivers, bayous, and drainage infrastructure. This dual threat means flooding can come from multiple directions at once. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in McAllen are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $55.3M.
Combined coastal and inland flood exposure in McAllen means properties may face higher premiums than areas with only one flood source. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 accounts for multiple flood sources, including coastal surge distance, river proximity, and rainfall-driven flooding. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Flood maps in areas with combined coastal and inland risk are among the most complex in the FEMA system. Major storms often trigger FEMA restudies that can significantly shift zone boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) after hurricanes may expand SFHA coverage as new storm data is incorporated. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any McAllen address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Hidalgo County
Hidalgo County has 528 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 37 severe repetitive loss properties. 2 properties have received FEMA mitigation funding. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced March 2026.
Multiple Loss
528
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
37
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
2
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 517 of 528 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Hidalgo County
NOAA has recorded 113 flood events in Hidalgo County since 1996, causing $431.0M in damage and 4 deaths.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Hidalgo County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 21 properties in Hidalgo County, investing $0 in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
McAllen, TX Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in McAllen, TX?
The most common FEMA flood zones in McAllen are Zone AE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in McAllen?
If your McAllen property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in McAllen?
Enter your McAllen address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
How high is flood risk in McAllen?
According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Hidalgo County (where McAllen is located) has a "Relatively High" rating for inland flood risk. The estimated annual flood loss for the county is $55.3M. This county-level assessment considers historical flood losses, social vulnerability, and community resilience.
Has McAllen experienced major flooding events?
Hidalgo County, where McAllen is located, has been part of 20 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Severe Storms and Flooding in 2025. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in McAllen?
Hidalgo County has recorded 4,379 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $117.4M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2020, with 843 claims and $22.9M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including McAllen.
How many flood insurance policies are active in McAllen?
Hidalgo County currently has 10,865 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $524. The most policies are in Zone X (8,346 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many McAllen properties have flooded repeatedly?
Hidalgo County has 528 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 37 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my McAllen property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in McAllen?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In McAllen's Zone AE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
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Look Up Any McAllen, TX Address
Enter a McAllen, TX address to instantly check its FEMA flood zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.