Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Selma than in 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Selma gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #611 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Selma 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
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 Selma’s grade
River and rain flooding is 87% of the building damage FEMA expects in Selma, and Selma’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 8%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
D #611 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Selma’s residents live in 4 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, Selma has more expected damage per building than 95% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.9M a year in losses across Selma: $4.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Selma flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Selma, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Selma isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bexar County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Selma
Disasters that paid out in Selma itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Selma), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms54 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$46K to the City of Selma for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$34K to the City of Selma for repairs
- 1998Tx-flooding 10/18/98$31K to the City of Selma for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Its 2 counties have had 28 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.
Also 4 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 2 counties, 2006–2025.
Old photos of Selma after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Selma archive →Selma and its neighbors
Selma is 5th of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Oak | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| San Antonio | C+more damage than 64% | river and rain flooding | 1,003 |
| Schertz | Cmore damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Universal City | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Selma | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Selma 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.
- 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 Selma
Is Selma at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Selma has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #611 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (87%) and hail (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Selma flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Selma since 1998, $26K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Selma 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 Bexar County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Selma?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Selma’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 Selma?
By FEMA money that reached Selma, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 54 households applied for aid, $8K approved, and $46K to the City of Selma for repairs.
Is Selma at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (87%), and Selma’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Selma.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Selma’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.