Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Goliad faces more hazard damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Goliad gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (67%), then river and rain flooding (27%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1998.
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 Goliad faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain 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 Goliad’s grade
Hurricanes are 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Goliad, and Goliad’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 27% (lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Goliad’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Goliad: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Goliad flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Goliad, from FEMA’s records: 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Torrential rain3 claims · $120K
Goliad isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Goliad County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Goliad
Disasters that paid out in Goliad itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Goliad), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms61 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$16K to the City of Goliad for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Harvey898 households applied for aid$497K aid approved$93K to the City of Goliad for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Claudette418 households applied for aid$358K aid approved$149K to the City of Goliad for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$14K to the City of Goliad for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 1998Tx-flooding 10/18/98$13K to the City of Goliad for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Goliad County has had 16 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 Goliad after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Goliad archive →Get ready for what Goliad faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Goliad
Is Goliad at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Goliad has higher expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (67%) and river and rain flooding (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Goliad flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Goliad since 1998, $207K in all, or 5.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Torrential rain (3).
Is Goliad 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 Goliad County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Goliad?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Goliad’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 Goliad?
By FEMA money that reached Goliad, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 898 households applied for aid, $497K approved, and $93K to the City of Goliad for repairs. By flood claims, Torrential rain: 3 paid, $120K.
Is Goliad at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Goliad’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Goliad.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Goliad’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.