Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0For hail, Coleman’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Coleman gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #355 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%), then hail (21%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1984.
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 Coleman 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
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.
What’s behind Coleman’s grade
River and rain flooding is 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Coleman, and Coleman’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 21%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #355 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Coleman’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Coleman has more expected damage per building than 55% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Coleman: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Coleman flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Coleman, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Spring severe storms1 claim · $7K
- Hurricane Gilbert1 claim · $174K
Coleman isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Coleman County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Coleman
Disasters that paid out in Coleman itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Coleman), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$275K to the City of Coleman for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms$50K to the City of Coleman for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$9K to the City of Coleman for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$38K to the City of Coleman for repairs
Coleman County has had 13 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.
Old photos of Coleman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Coleman archive →Get ready for what Coleman 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.
- 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 Coleman
Is Coleman at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Coleman has higher expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #355 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (63%) and hail (21%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Coleman flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Coleman since 1984, $186K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 59% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Spring severe storms (1).
Is Coleman 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 Coleman County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Coleman?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Coleman’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 Coleman?
By FEMA money that reached Coleman, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): $275K to the City of Coleman for repairs. By flood claims, Spring severe storms: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Coleman at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Coleman’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Coleman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Coleman’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.