For coastal flooding, San Leon’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Leon gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #419 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (48%), then river and rain flooding (40%). Flood insurance has paid 1,705 claims here since 1979.
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 San Leon’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What San Leon 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
Coastal 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 San Leon’s grade
Hurricanes are 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in San Leon, and San Leon’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 7%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #419 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
San Leon’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, San Leon has more expected damage per building than 65% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.9M a year in losses across San Leon: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does San Leon flood? Yes: 1,705 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in San Leon, from FEMA’s records: 551.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike880 claims · $65.6M
- Hurricane Alicia261 claims · $2.1M
- Hurricane Jerry81 claims · $677K
San Leon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Galveston County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to San Leon
Disasters that paid out in San Leon itself (aid to households or repair grants to San Leon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl966 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms176 households applied for aid$182K aid approved8 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey593 households applied for aid$551K aid approved33 flood claims paid for it, $1.2M
- 2008Hurricane Ike2,504 households applied for aid$20.4M aid approved880 flood claims paid for it, $65.6M
- 2005Hurricane Rita871 households applied for aid$663K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Claudette13 households applied for aid$34K aid approved28 flood claims paid that year
Galveston County has had 25 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 San Leon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the San Leon archive →San Leon and its neighbors
San Leon is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas City | B−less damage than 53% | hurricanes | 2,751 |
| San Leon | C+more damage than 62% | hurricanes | 1,705 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what San Leon 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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 San Leon
Is San Leon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, San Leon has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #419 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (48%) and river and rain flooding (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does San Leon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,705 claims in San Leon since 1979, $73.8M in all, or 551.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (880).
Is San Leon 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 Galveston County, 66% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 42.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in San Leon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for San Leon’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 San Leon?
By FEMA money that reached San Leon, Hurricane Ike (2008): 2,504 households applied for aid, $20.4M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 880 paid, $65.6M.
Is San Leon at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and San Leon’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in San Leon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where San Leon’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.