Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Midland’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Midland gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #192 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then hail (22%). Flood insurance has paid 92 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 stands out about Midland’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Midland 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
Hail
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 Midland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Midland, and Midland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 22%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #192 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Midland’s residents live in 32 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, Midland has less expected damage per building than 70% of Texas towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Midland has lower expected damage per building than 79% (#85 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $34.3M, is the 330th largest of those 400.
Does Midland flood? Sometimes: 92 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Midland, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Midland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Midland County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Midland
Disasters that paid out in Midland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Midland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Hurricane Rita$22K to the City of Midland for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
Midland County has had 9 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 5 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Midland County, 2008–2011.
Old photos of Midland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Midland archive →Get ready for what Midland 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- 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.
- Midland residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Midland
Is Midland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Midland has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #192 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and hail (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Midland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 92 claims in Midland since 1981, $1.2M in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Midland 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 Midland County, 1.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Midland?
Midland is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Midland?
By FEMA money that reached Midland, Hurricane Rita (2005): $22K to the City of Midland for repairs.
Is Midland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Midland’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Midland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Midland’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.