Storms, floods and disasters in Gulfport
Gulfport isn’t graded for hazard risk: Gulfport has 92 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 85 claims here since 1979.
What Gulfport 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
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 Gulfport flood? Sometimes: 85 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gulfport, from FEMA’s records.
- The Midwest Flooding23 claims · $299K
Gulfport isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Henderson County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gulfport
Disasters that paid out in Gulfport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Gulfport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$66K to the Village of Gulfport for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding14 households applied for aid$185K aid approved$350K to the Village of Gulfport for repairs28 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$2K to the Village of Gulfport for repairs
Henderson County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Gulfport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gulfport archive →Gulfport and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 170 |
| Carman Township | — | 483 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Gladstone Township | — | 732 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Gulfport 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.
- 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 Gulfport
Does Gulfport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 85 claims in Gulfport since 1979, $4.1M in all. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Midwest Flooding (23).
Is Gulfport 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 Henderson County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gulfport?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gulfport’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 Gulfport?
By FEMA money that reached Gulfport, Severe Storms and Flooding (2008): 14 households applied for aid, $185K approved, and $350K to the Village of Gulfport for repairs. By flood claims, Midwest Flooding: 23 paid, $299K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gulfport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gulfport’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.