Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Georgetown than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Georgetown gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #185 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hail (14%). Flood insurance has paid 36 claims here since 1987.
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 Georgetown’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Georgetown 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 Georgetown’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Georgetown, and Georgetown’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 14%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #185 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Georgetown’s residents live in 26 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, Georgetown has less expected damage per building than 71% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Georgetown has lower expected damage per building than 80% (#82 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $16.9M, is the 393th largest of those 400.
Does Georgetown flood? Sometimes: 36 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Georgetown, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025 July Central TX Flooding3 claims · $306K
- The Thunderstorms1 claim · $36K
Georgetown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Williamson County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Georgetown
Disasters that paid out in Georgetown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Georgetown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding246 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$905K to the City of Georgetown for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2023Severe Winter Storm$2.5M to the City of Georgetown for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms670 households applied for aid$73K aid approved$417K to the City of Georgetown for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Harvey1 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2011Wildfires1 households applied for aid$723 aid approved
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding31 households applied for aid$21K aid approved$87K to the City of Georgetown for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 7
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$34K to the City of Georgetown for repairs
Williamson County has had 16 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.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Williamson County, 2008–2011.
Old photos of Georgetown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Georgetown archive →Georgetown and its neighbors
Georgetown 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round Rock | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 177 |
| Georgetown | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
| Leander | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Weir | — | 434 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Georgetown 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 Georgetown
Is Georgetown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Georgetown has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #185 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hail (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Georgetown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 36 claims in Georgetown since 1987, $2.2M in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2025 July Central TX Flooding (3).
Is Georgetown 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 Williamson County, 46% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Georgetown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Georgetown’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 Georgetown?
By FEMA money that reached Georgetown, Severe Winter Storm (2023): $2.5M to the City of Georgetown for repairs. By flood claims, 2025 July Central TX Flooding: 3 paid, $306K.
Is Georgetown at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Georgetown’s rate for it is lower than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Georgetown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Georgetown’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.