Storms, floods and disasters in Gilbertown
Gilbertown isn’t graded for hazard risk: Gilbertown has 770 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1983.
What Gilbertown 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
Hurricanes
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.
Does Gilbertown flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gilbertown, from FEMA’s records.
Gilbertown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Choctaw County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gilbertown
Disasters that paid out in Gilbertown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Gilbertown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding25 households applied for aid$39K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina397 households applied for aid$232K aid approved$19K to the Town of Gilbertown for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan222 households applied for aid$249K aid approved
Choctaw County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Gilbertown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gilbertown archive →Get ready for what Gilbertown 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.
- 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.
- 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 Gilbertown
Does Gilbertown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Gilbertown since 1983, $154K in all.
Is Gilbertown 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 Choctaw County, 4% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gilbertown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gilbertown’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 Gilbertown?
By FEMA money that reached Gilbertown, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 397 households applied for aid, $232K approved, and $19K to the Town of Gilbertown for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gilbertown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gilbertown’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.