Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Mineola than in 89% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mineola gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, #54 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then ice storms (19%). 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 Mineola 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
Ice storms
Hail
Strong wind
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 Mineola’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mineola, and Mineola’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 19%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
A #54 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mineola’s residents live in 2 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, Mineola has less expected damage per building than 92% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Mineola: $742K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mineola flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Mineola. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Mineola isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wood County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mineola
Disasters that paid out in Mineola itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Mineola), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding21 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms73 households applied for aid$56K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding10 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding17 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$23K to the City of Mineola for repairs
Wood County has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Wood County, 2006–2006.
Old photos of Mineola after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mineola archive →Get ready for what Mineola 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Mineola
Is Mineola at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mineola has lower expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #54 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and ice storms (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Mineola 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 Wood County, 15% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mineola?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mineola’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 Mineola?
By FEMA money that reached Mineola, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 73 households applied for aid, $56K approved.
Is Mineola at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Mineola’s rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mineola.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mineola’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.