Victoria Grist Windmill · Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Victoria faces more hazard damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Victoria gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #577 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (66%), then river and rain flooding (29%). Flood insurance has paid 381 claims here since 1978.
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 Victoria’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Victoria 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
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 Victoria’s grade
Hurricanes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Victoria, and Victoria’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 29% (lower than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #577 of 642 in Texas; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Victoria’s residents live in 21 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, Victoria has more expected damage per building than 90% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $34.4M a year in losses across Victoria: $24.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Victoria flood? Yes: 381 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Victoria, from FEMA’s records: 13.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey36 claims · $1.2M
- The Torrential rain9 claims · $213K
- The Thunderstorms4 claims · $517K
Victoria isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Victoria County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Victoria
Disasters that paid out in Victoria itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Victoria), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl$38K to the City of Victoria for repairs
- 2021Severe Winter Storms1,492 households applied for aid$463K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Hurricane Harvey17,983 households applied for aid$11.5M aid approved$8.6M to the City of Victoria for repairs36 flood claims paid for it, $1.2M
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding$70K to the City of Victoria for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Ike$31K to the City of Victoria for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding100 households applied for aid$140K aid approved$10K to the City of Victoria for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2005Hurricane Rita$17K to the City of Victoria for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$23K to the City of Victoria for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$248K to the City of Victoria for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Claudette3,686 households applied for aid$3.6M aid approved$1.6M to the City of Victoria for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 1998Tx-flooding 10/18/98$1.2M to the City of Victoria for repairs55 flood claims paid that year
Victoria County has had 23 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 Victoria after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Victoria archive →Get ready for what Victoria 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.
- 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 Victoria
Is Victoria at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Victoria has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #577 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (66%) and river and rain flooding (29%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Victoria flood?
Flood insurance has paid 381 claims in Victoria since 1978, $6.8M in all, or 13.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 38 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (36).
Is Victoria 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 Victoria County, 2.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Victoria?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Victoria’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 Victoria?
By FEMA money that reached Victoria, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 17,983 households applied for aid, $11.5M approved, and $8.6M to the City of Victoria for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 36 paid, $1.2M.
Is Victoria at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Victoria’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Victoria.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Victoria’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.