Photo: Nsaum75 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Dickinson’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dickinson gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #611 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then hurricanes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 2,390 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Dickinson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Dickinson 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
Hurricanes
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 Dickinson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dickinson, and Dickinson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #611 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dickinson’s residents live in 11 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Dickinson has more expected damage per building than 95% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $11.7M a year in losses across Dickinson: $6.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dickinson flood? Yes: 2,390 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dickinson, from FEMA’s records: 288.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey1,512 claims · $227M
- Hurricane Ike254 claims · $13.9M
- Hurricane Chantel169 claims · $1.9M
Dickinson is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Galveston County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dickinson
Disasters that paid out in Dickinson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dickinson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl5,025 households applied for aid$4.3M aid approved$1.1M to the City of Dickinson for repairs41 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms848 households applied for aid$418K aid approved$17K to the City of Dickinson for repairs15 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey10,653 households applied for aid$46.1M aid approved$6.7M to the City of Dickinson for repairs1,512 flood claims paid for it, $227M
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$16K aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike5,523 households applied for aid$6.1M aid approved$3.5M to the City of Dickinson for repairs254 flood claims paid for it, $13.9M
- 2005Hurricane Rita3,583 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$170K to the City of Dickinson for repairs
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Rita$38K to the City of Dickinson for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Claudette10 households applied for aid$34K aid approved$8K to the City of Dickinson for repairs74 flood claims paid for it, $2.1M
- 2001Tx-tropical Storm Allison-06-06-2001$5K to the City of Dickinson for repairs95 flood claims paid for it, $1.3M
Galveston County has had 25 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Dickinson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dickinson archive →Dickinson and its neighbors
Dickinson is 4th of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas City | B−less damage than 53% | hurricanes | 2,751 |
| Santa Fe | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 615 |
| League City | C−more damage than 82% | river and rain flooding | 4,320 |
| Dickinson | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 2,390 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Dickinson 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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.
- Dickinson residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Dickinson
Is Dickinson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dickinson has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #611 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and hurricanes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dickinson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,390 claims in Dickinson since 1979, $251M in all, or 288.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 337 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (1,512).
Is Dickinson 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 Galveston County, 66% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 42.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dickinson?
Dickinson is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Dickinson?
By FEMA money that reached Dickinson, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 10,653 households applied for aid, $46.1M approved, and $6.7M to the City of Dickinson for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 1,512 paid, $227M.
Is Dickinson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Dickinson’s rate for it is higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dickinson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dickinson’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.