Flooding

Flood Risk Is Relatively High in Hidalgo County

Federal data shows Hidalgo County carries a relatively high natural hazard risk, with flooding as a major concern.

The FEMA National Risk Index rated Hidalgo County as 'Relatively High' risk compared to the rest of the United States. The county sits in a flat river delta. Water has few places to drain quickly, which means even moderate rain can cause flooding.

Before buying land or a home here, look up the address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center. That free tool shows whether a property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area—also called the 100-year floodplain.

If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area and you have a federally backed mortgage, you will be required to carry flood insurance. Even if you are not required to, flood insurance is worth considering given the county's risk level.

Source to confirm: FEMA – National Risk Index

More Hidalgo County notes

Property Tax Basics

Two Separate Offices Handle Your Property Taxes

Hidalgo County has one office that values your property and a different office that collects the taxes—you need to know which to contact.

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Homestead Exemption

A Homestead Exemption Can Lower Your Tax Bill

If your home is your main residence, you can file for a homestead exemption that reduces how much of its value gets taxed.

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Taxing Units

Your Tax Bill Comes From Many Different Entities

Hidalgo County has 56 active taxing units, so your total tax bill is the sum of rates from several different entities.

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Agricultural Valuation

Farm and Ranch Land Can Be Taxed on Productivity, Not Market Value

Texas law lets qualifying farmland and ranchland be taxed on what it produces rather than what it could sell for, which can cut the tax bill significantly.

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