Photo: Nsaum75 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Galveston’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 74% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Galveston gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #504 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%), then hurricanes (42%). Flood insurance has paid 14,754 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 Galveston’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Galveston 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
Coastal flooding
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 Galveston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Galveston, and Galveston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 42%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C #504 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Galveston’s residents live in 23 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, Galveston has more expected damage per building than 78% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $33.7M a year in losses across Galveston: $19.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Galveston flood? Yes: 14,754 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Galveston, from FEMA’s records: 412.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike10,338 claims · $718M
- Hurricane Alicia1,380 claims · $12.3M
- Hurricane Harvey411 claims · $15.2M
Galveston is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Galveston County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Galveston
Disasters that paid out in Galveston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Galveston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl9,197 households applied for aid$7.6M aid approved$5.4M to the City of Galveston for repairs102 flood claims paid for it, $2.9M
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms2,319 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$1.2M to the City of Galveston for repairs17 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Tropical Storms Marco and Laura$473K to the City of Galveston for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Laura$194K to the City of Galveston for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Harvey6,154 households applied for aid$2.7M aid approved$1.9M to the City of Galveston for repairs411 flood claims paid for it, $15.2M
Show all 13
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$4K aid approved19 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike28,436 households applied for aid$107M aid approved$119M to the City of Galveston for repairs10,338 flood claims paid for it, $718M
- 2005Hurricane Rita12,328 households applied for aid$7.2M aid approved$768K to the City of Galveston for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$91K to the City of Galveston for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$8K to the City of Galveston for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Claudette99 households applied for aid$128K aid approved$310K to the City of Galveston for repairs162 flood claims paid for it, $1.6M
- 2001Tx-tropical Storm Allison-06-06-2001$55K to the City of Galveston for repairs39 flood claims paid that year
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 Galveston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Galveston archive →Galveston and its neighbors
Galveston is 2nd of the 3 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 |
| Galveston | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 14,754 |
| Tiki Island | C−more damage than 78% | hurricanes | 484 |
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 Galveston 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Galveston residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Galveston
Is Galveston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Galveston has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #504 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%) and hurricanes (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Galveston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14,754 claims in Galveston since 1979, $775M in all, or 412.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 655 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (10,338).
Is Galveston 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 Galveston?
Galveston is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 Galveston?
By FEMA money that reached Galveston, Hurricane Ike (2008): 28,436 households applied for aid, $107M approved, and $119M to the City of Galveston for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 10,338 paid, $718M.
Is Galveston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Galveston’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Galveston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Galveston’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.