Godley’s building-damage rate from wildfire is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Godley gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #348 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%), then wildfire (33%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Godley’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Godley 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
Wildfire
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 Godley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 44% of the building damage FEMA expects in Godley, and Godley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 33%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #348 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Godley’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Godley has more expected damage per building than 54% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $871K a year in losses across Godley: $556K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Godley flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Godley. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Godley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Johnson County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Godley
Disasters that paid out in Godley itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Godley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms57 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
Johnson County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Johnson County, 2000–2006.
Old photos of Godley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Godley archive →Get ready for what Godley 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Godley
Is Godley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Godley has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #348 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (44%) and wildfire (33%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Godley 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 Johnson County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Godley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Godley’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 Godley?
By FEMA money that reached Godley, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 57 households applied for aid, $20K approved.
Is Godley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (44%), and Godley’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Godley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Godley’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.