Photo: Randy Colborn · CC BY-SA 4.0Garland’s building-damage rate from hail is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Garland gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #422 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then hail (23%). Flood insurance has paid 384 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 Garland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
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
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 Garland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Garland, and Garland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 23%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #422 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Garland’s residents live in 59 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, Garland has more expected damage per building than 66% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Garland has higher expected damage per building than 54% (#216 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $83.1M, is the 146th largest of those 400.
Does Garland flood? Yes: 384 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Garland, from FEMA’s records: 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms64 claims · $3.4M
- The March storm2 claims · $64K
- The Spring Storm1 claim · $21K
Garland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Dallas County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Garland
Disasters that paid out in Garland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Garland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding2,327 households applied for aid$2.1M aid approved$4.0M to the City of Garland for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms3,015 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$284K to the City of Garland for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2015Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$1.8M to the City of Garland for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding231 households applied for aid$562K aid approved$670K to the City of Garland for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$1.4M to the City of Garland for repairs
Dallas County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical 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 →Garland and its neighbors
Garland is 6th of the 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mesquite | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 98 |
| Sunnyvale | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Dallas | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 940 |
| Rowlett | C+more damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Richardson | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 16 |
| Garland | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 384 |
| Sachse | Cmore damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
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 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.
- 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.
- Garland residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Garland
Is Garland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Garland has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #422 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and hail (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Garland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 384 claims in Garland since 1979, $10.2M in all, or 4.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 50 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (64).
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 Dallas County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Garland?
Garland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Garland?
By FEMA money that reached Garland, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 2,327 households applied for aid, $2.1M approved, and $4.0M to the City of Garland for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 64 paid, $3.4M.
Is Garland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Garland’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
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.