Wynn-Price House · Photo: Walthallcharles · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Garland
Garland isn’t graded for hazard risk: Garland has 188 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1998.
What Garland 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
Ice storms
Tornadoes
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.
Does Garland flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Garland, from FEMA’s records.
Garland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Miller County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Garland
Disasters that paid out in Garland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Garland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$4K to the Town of Garland for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$9K to the Town of Garland for repairs
Miller County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Garland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Garland archive →Get ready for what Garland 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Garland
Does Garland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Garland since 1998, $30K in all.
Is Garland 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 Miller County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Garland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Garland’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 Garland?
By FEMA money that reached Garland, Severe Winter Ice Storm (2000): $9K to the Town of Garland for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Garland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Garland’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.