Photo: Larry D. Moore · CC BY 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Gatesville faces less hazard damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gatesville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #77 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1998.
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 Gatesville 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
Tornadoes
Hail
Wildfire
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 Gatesville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gatesville, and Gatesville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 8%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #77 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gatesville’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Gatesville has less expected damage per building than 88% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across Gatesville: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gatesville flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gatesville, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Texas Spring Flooding1 claim · $17K
Gatesville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Coryell County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gatesville
Disasters that paid out in Gatesville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gatesville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding203 households applied for aid$917K aid approved$1.2M to the City of Gatesville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2021Severe Winter Storms172 households applied for aid$116K aid approved
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$62K to the City of Gatesville for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding$103K to the City of Gatesville for repairs
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding47 households applied for aid$104K aid approved$10K to the City of Gatesville for repairs
Coryell County has had 17 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Coryell County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of Gatesville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gatesville archive →Get ready for what Gatesville 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.
- 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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 Gatesville
Is Gatesville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gatesville has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #77 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gatesville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Gatesville since 1998, $17K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Texas Spring Flooding (1).
Is Gatesville 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 Coryell County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gatesville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gatesville’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 Gatesville?
By FEMA money that reached Gatesville, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 203 households applied for aid, $917K approved, and $1.2M to the City of Gatesville for repairs. By flood claims, Texas Spring Flooding: 1 paid, $17K.
Is Gatesville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Gatesville’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gatesville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gatesville’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.