Photo: WhisperToMe · Public domainFEMA puts Galena Park’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Galena Park gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #474 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hurricanes (33%). Flood insurance has paid 149 claims here since 1981.
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 Galena Park’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Galena Park 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 Galena Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Galena Park, and Galena Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C #474 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Galena Park’s residents live in 4 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, Galena Park has more expected damage per building than 74% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.5M a year in losses across Galena Park: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Galena Park flood? Yes: 149 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Galena Park, from FEMA’s records: 44.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey64 claims · $4.0M
- Tropical Storm Allison24 claims · $462K
- Hurricane Ike13 claims · $362K
Galena Park isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Harris County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Galena Park
Disasters that paid out in Galena Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Galena Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl1,405 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding650 households applied for aid$676K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms224 households applied for aid$195K aid approved$40K to the City of Galena Park for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Harvey847 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$207K to the City of Galena Park for repairs64 flood claims paid for it, $4.0M
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$565 aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike986 households applied for aid$694K aid approved$297K to the City of Galena Park for repairs13 flood claims paid for it, $362K
Show all 9
- 2005Hurricane Rita343 households applied for aid$86K aid approved$64K to the City of Galena Park for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding1 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2001Tx-tropical Storm Allison-06-06-2001$211K to the City of Galena Park for repairs24 flood claims paid for it, $462K
Harris County has had 34 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Harris County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Galena Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Galena Park archive →Galena Park and its neighbors
Galena Park has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galena Park | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 149 |
| Jacinto City | C−more damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 176 |
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 Galena Park 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Galena Park
Is Galena Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Galena Park has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #474 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hurricanes (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Galena Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 149 claims in Galena Park since 1981, $5.4M in all, or 44.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 17 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (64).
Is Galena Park 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 Harris County, 48% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 16.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Galena Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Galena Park’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 Galena Park?
By FEMA money that reached Galena Park, Hurricane Beryl (2024): 1,405 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 64 paid, $4.0M.
Is Galena Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Galena Park’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Galena Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Galena Park’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.