Pharr stretches from the expressway south in a narrow band all the way to the Rio Grande, where the city operates the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge. It lies at about 112 feet in Hidalgo County, between McAllen to the west, San Juan to the east and Edinburg to the north, and it took in Las Milpas through annexation in 1987.
Fire & Water Energy connects callers with contractors but does no restoration work of its own. Phone (866) 937-3230 and we will try to find an independent restoration contractor serving Pharr and nearby Valley cities, subject to who is available. For more on the arrangement, visit how it works or read our referral disclosure.
Dry months, tropical bursts and occasional deep cold
Average yearly rainfall is only about 21 inches, with March the driest month and September the wettest, at around 3.6 inches. That average hides how much can fall at once: tropical storms and hurricanes occasionally dump very heavy rain on the region. During the historic flooding of March 26 to 28, 2025, the National Weather Service in Brownsville issued a Flash Flood Emergency on the evening of March 27 for the I-2 corridor from Pharr to Mercedes as rising water stranded hundreds of motorists.
Temperatures have ranged from 13 degrees in January 1962 to 110 in 1998 and 1999. FEMA declarations covering Hidalgo County since 2000 include Hurricanes Rita (2005), Dolly (2008), Alex (2010) and Beryl (2024), the 2021 Severe Winter Storms and flooding in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2025.
Common water problems in local homes and businesses
Months of heavy air conditioning use make condensate leaks and clogged drain lines a frequent cause of damp ceilings and floors. Water heater failures, slab plumbing leaks and broken appliance hoses are common too, and a heavy storm can find weak spots in aging roofs and windows that went unnoticed through the dry season.
For water damage restoration in Pharr, a contractor usually stops the source, extracts water, opens up wet materials where needed and dries the structure while tracking moisture. Our water extraction and ceiling water damage repair pages go further.
Federal disaster declarations that included Hidalgo County
FEMA records show Hidalgo County was included in 13 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (4 flood, 4 hurricane, 3 severe storm, 1 severe ice storm, 1 fire, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Pharr was affected. The most recent:
- 2025 – Severe Storms and Flooding (DR-4871)
- 2024 – Hurricane Beryl (DR-4798)
- 2021 – Severe Winter Storms (DR-4586)
- 2019 – Severe Storms and Flooding (DR-4454)
- 2018 – Severe Storms and Flooding (DR-4377)
- 2016 – Severe Storms and Flooding (DR-4272)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved 2026-10-10. Counts include major disaster (DR) declarations with hurricane, flood, severe storm, tropical storm, fire, tornado, coastal storm, winter or ice storm, mudslide and dam/levee incident types.
Water, fire or storm damage in Pharr?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Pharr property.
Handling fire and smoke damage
The long dry season and Hidalgo County's inclusion in the 2006 Extreme Wildfire Threat declaration show that outdoor fire is a real concern, but most damaging house fires start with cooking, electrical issues or appliances. The city's fire department posts fire safety guidance on its website.
After a fire, restoration contractors commonly secure the building, remove charred materials, identify soot type, clean and seal surfaces and remove odor from framing and ducts. Learn more on our fire damage cleanup and smoke odor removal pages.
After a flash flood or hurricane
When several inches of rain fall in a few hours, water can fill streets, frontage roads, garages and ground-floor rooms. Floodwater from outdoors is treated as contaminated, so contractors typically pull out wet flooring and the lower portion of drywall, disinfect and dry before rebuilding.
Storm debris and downed branches can be handled through the city's garbage and brush collection program once it is safe. Our flood damage restoration and storm damage cleanup pages describe the process.
Mold prevention in the humid weeks after rain
Heat combined with storm moisture lets mold spread across damp drywall, carpet and cabinets in only a few days, and power outages make it harder to keep indoor humidity down.
The EPA advises that homeowners can usually clean an area under about 10 square feet once the moisture is corrected. Anything larger, growth after floodwater or mold in the HVAC system is better left to mold remediation professionals.
Pharr emergency checklist
- Call 911 for fire, injuries, gas odors or downed power lines.
- Sign up for CodeRed alerts through the City of Pharr website and for E-Dalgo alerts through Hidalgo County Emergency Management.
- Report non-emergency street or drainage problems through Pharr 311.
- Never drive into water on I-2 frontage roads or underpasses.
- Shut off water at the main for a burst line and record all damage with photos. Policy terms differ for flood and other water losses, so check with your insurer or agent.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Areas in and around Pharr that callers often mention include:
- Las Milpas
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Pharr):
Pharr restoration FAQs
What was the 2025 Flash Flood Emergency along I-2?
On the evening of March 27, 2025, the National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Emergency for the I-2 corridor from Pharr to Mercedes. Rising water stranded hundreds of motorists during a three-day storm.
If Pharr gets only about 21 inches of rain a year, why is flooding a concern?
Much of that rain can arrive in a few intense events, often from tropical systems in late summer and fall. Flat terrain means water has few places to go quickly.
How do I get emergency alerts in Pharr?
The city offers CodeRed notifications through its website, and Hidalgo County runs E-Dalgo alerts. Signing up for both covers city and county announcements.
Has the city ever had a severe freeze?
Yes. The record low is 13 degrees, set in January 1962, and Hidalgo County was included in the 2021 Severe Winter Storms declaration. Exposed pipes are vulnerable in cold like that.
Is Fire & Water Energy the company that fixes the damage?
No. We are a referral service. When you call (866) 937-3230, we try to connect you with an independent contractor in the area, who handles the work and pricing directly.
Restoration guides
- Flood Damage Restoration
- Water Extraction
- Ceiling Water Damage Repair
- Storm Damage Cleanup
- Fire Damage Cleanup
- Mold Remediation