Photo: Carol M. Highsmith · Public domainFor hail, Seminole’s building-damage rate is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seminole gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #257 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then hail (18%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1980.
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 Seminole 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
Wildfire
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 Seminole’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Seminole, and Seminole’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Hail adds 18%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B #257 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Seminole’s residents live in 3 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, Seminole has less expected damage per building than 60% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Seminole: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Seminole flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Seminole, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Seminole isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gaines County.The storms Seminole remembers
None of the 9 disasters declared for Gaines County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Seminole itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19801 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19831 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19911 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Gaines 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.
Old photos of Seminole after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Seminole archive →Get ready for what Seminole 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Seminole
Is Seminole at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seminole has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #257 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and hail (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Seminole flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Seminole since 1980, $29K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Seminole 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 Gaines County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Seminole?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Seminole’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Seminole at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Seminole’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Seminole.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Seminole’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.