On FEMA’s figures, Goreville faces more hazard damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Goreville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%), then earthquakes (38%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Goreville 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
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 Goreville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 40% of the building damage FEMA expects in Goreville, and Goreville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Goreville’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $881K a year in losses across Goreville: $497K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Goreville flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Goreville. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Goreville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Johnson County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Goreville
Disasters that paid out in Goreville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Goreville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$622 aid approved
Johnson County has had 4 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 Goreville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Goreville archive →Get ready for what Goreville 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Goreville
Is Goreville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Goreville has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%) and earthquakes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Goreville 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 Johnson County, 0.1% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Goreville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Goreville’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 Goreville?
By FEMA money that reached Goreville, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 2 households applied for aid, $2K approved.
Is Goreville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (40%), and Goreville’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Goreville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Goreville’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.