Galveston, TX
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Galveston is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Galveston County, TX. The county's highest-rated hazards are cold wave, lightning, and hurricane.
Storm events near Galveston
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Galveston's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Galveston itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Galveston County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Galveston along with the rest of the county, not a Galveston-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 84.9 | Relatively Low |
| Inland Flooding | 93.6 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | 88.6 | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | 56.4 | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | 93.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 96.9 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 99.4 | Very High |
| Drought | 96.9 | Relatively High |
| Hail | 68.5 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 97 | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | 90.5 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 19.8 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 97.4 | Very High |
| Strong Wind | 52.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 15.9 | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Galveston County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Galveston County:
More on Galveston County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Galveston, TX at risk of?
Galveston is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Galveston County, where Galveston is located, are cold wave, lightning, and hurricane.
What is Galveston's biggest natural hazard risk?
Cold Wave is the highest-rated hazard for Galveston County, where Galveston is located, scoring 99.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Galveston a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Galveston carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Galveston County.
Has Galveston had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 14 tornado, 18 hail, 37 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Galveston since 2016.