Photo: Liveon001 ©Travis Witt · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Martindale’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Martindale gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 35 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 Martindale 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
Strong wind
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 Martindale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Martindale, and Martindale’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 8%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Martindale’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Martindale: $306K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Martindale flood? Sometimes: 35 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Martindale, from FEMA’s records: 79.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Early summer storms10 claims · $423K
- The Fall severe storms7 claims · $242K
- The Torrential rain1 claim · $1K
Martindale isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Caldwell County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Martindale
Disasters that paid out in Martindale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Martindale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding24 households applied for aid$146K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms38 households applied for aid$77K aid approved
- 2017Hurricane Harvey6 households applied for aid$994 aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding57 households applied for aid$118K aid approved$12K to the City of Martindale for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding159 households applied for aid$838K aid approved$37K to the City of Martindale for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$46K to the City of Martindale for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 1998Tx-flooding 10/18/98$24K to the City of Martindale for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Caldwell 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.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Caldwell County, 2000–2006.
Old photos of Martindale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Martindale archive →Get ready for what Martindale 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Martindale
Is Martindale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Martindale has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and strong wind (8%). 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.
Does Martindale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 35 claims in Martindale since 1998, $1.2M in all, or 79.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Early summer storms (10).
Is Martindale 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 Caldwell County, 29% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Martindale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Martindale’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 Martindale?
By FEMA money that reached Martindale, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (2015): 159 households applied for aid, $838K approved, and $37K to the City of Martindale for repairs. By flood claims, Early summer storms: 10 paid, $423K.
Is Martindale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Martindale’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Martindale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Martindale’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.