Photo: Billy Hathorn · CC BY-SA 3.0Gladewater’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gladewater gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #231 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2015.
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 Gladewater 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
Ice storms
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 Gladewater’s grade
River and rain flooding is 57% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gladewater, and Gladewater’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B #231 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gladewater’s residents live in 3 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, Gladewater has less expected damage per building than 64% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.0M a year in losses across Gladewater: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gladewater flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2015
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gladewater, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Gladewater isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Upshur County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gladewater
Disasters that paid out in Gladewater itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gladewater), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms135 households applied for aid$83K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$73K to the City of Gladewater for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2011Wildfires13 households applied for aid$61K aid approved
- 2008Hurricane Ike19 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$13K to the City of Gladewater for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$60K to the City of Gladewater for repairs
Upshur County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Gladewater after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gladewater archive →Gladewater and its neighbors
Gladewater has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gladewater | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Clarksville City | — | 883 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Warren City | — | 331 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 Gladewater 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Gladewater
Is Gladewater at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gladewater has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #231 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (57%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gladewater flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Gladewater since 2015, $53K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Gladewater 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 Upshur County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gladewater?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gladewater’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 Gladewater?
By FEMA money that reached Gladewater, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 135 households applied for aid, $83K approved.
Is Gladewater at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (57%), and Gladewater’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gladewater.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gladewater’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.