Photo: Reading Associate 17 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Giddings than in 93% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Giddings gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #29 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then hurricanes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2005.
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 Giddings’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Giddings 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
Tornadoes
Strong wind
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 Giddings’ grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Giddings, and Giddings’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A #29 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Giddings’ residents live in 2 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, Giddings has less expected damage per building than 96% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across Giddings: $805K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Giddings flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Giddings, from FEMA’s records: 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $28K
Giddings isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lee County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Giddings
Disasters that paid out in Giddings itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Giddings), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Harvey128 households applied for aid$191K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding49 households applied for aid$346K aid approved$16K to the City of Giddings for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$16K to the City of Giddings for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Lee County has had 17 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 Giddings after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Giddings archive →Get ready for what Giddings 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Giddings
Is Giddings at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Giddings has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #29 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and hurricanes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Giddings flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Giddings since 2005, $184K in all, or 1.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (1).
Is Giddings 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 Lee County, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Giddings?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Giddings’ 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 Giddings?
By FEMA money that reached Giddings, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 49 households applied for aid, $346K approved, and $16K to the City of Giddings for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 1 paid, $28K.
Is Giddings at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Giddings’ rate for it is lower than 95% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Giddings.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Giddings’ 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.