Photo: ProfReader · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Gonzales’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gonzales gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #533 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 82 claims here since 1981.
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 Gonzales 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
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 Gonzales’ grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gonzales, and Gonzales’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #533 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gonzales’ residents live in 3 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, Gonzales has more expected damage per building than 83% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.9M a year in losses across Gonzales: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gonzales flood? Sometimes: 82 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gonzales, from FEMA’s records: 25.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms8 claims · $64K
- The Torrential rain2 claims · $95K
Gonzales isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gonzales County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gonzales
Disasters that paid out in Gonzales itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gonzales), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms59 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$12K to the City of Gonzales for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey333 households applied for aid$188K aid approved$187K to the City of Gonzales for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding$94K to the City of Gonzales for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$57K to the City of Gonzales for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 1998Tx-flooding 10/18/98$219K to the City of Gonzales for repairs49 flood claims paid that year
Gonzales County has had 17 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.
Old photos of Gonzales after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gonzales archive →Get ready for what Gonzales 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.
- 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 Gonzales
Is Gonzales at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gonzales has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #533 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gonzales flood?
Flood insurance has paid 82 claims in Gonzales since 1981, $2.3M in all, or 25.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (8).
Is Gonzales 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 Gonzales County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gonzales?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gonzales’ 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 Gonzales?
By FEMA money that reached Gonzales, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 333 households applied for aid, $188K approved, and $187K to the City of Gonzales for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 8 paid, $64K.
Is Gonzales at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Gonzales’ rate for it is higher than 83% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gonzales.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gonzales’ 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.