Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Gideon
Gideon isn’t graded for hazard risk: Gideon has 662 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1993.
What Gideon faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
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 Gideon flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gideon, from FEMA’s records.
- The Central U.S. April Flooding1 claim · $19K
- The Midwest Flooding1 claim · $9K
Gideon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: New Madrid County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gideon
Disasters that paid out in Gideon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gideon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$35K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2020Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$69K to the City of Gideon for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$6K to the City of Gideon for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$49K to the City of Gideon for repairs
- 2006Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
New Madrid County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Gideon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gideon archive →Get ready for what Gideon faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Gideon
Does Gideon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Gideon since 1993, $33K in all. The most claims came from Central U.S. April Flooding (1).
Is Gideon 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 New Madrid County, 4.0% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Gideon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gideon’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 Gideon?
By FEMA money that reached Gideon, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2020): $69K to the City of Gideon for repairs. By flood claims, Central U.S. April Flooding: 1 paid, $19K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gideon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gideon’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.