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–Not graded
Natural hazards in Gorman · FEMA

Storms, floods and disasters in Gorman

Gorman isn’t graded for hazard risk: Gorman has 997 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1989.

Flood claims
1
paid since 1989 · $6K
Disasters paid out here
5
of 16 declared for Eastland County
By hazard

What Gorman 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

52%of expected building damage
Well below average · lower than 86% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once a year in the area

Wildfire

16%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts

Hail

13%of expected building damage
Well above average · in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about 6 times a year in the area

Tornadoes

12%of expected building damage
Above average · higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once every 7 years in the area
Smaller shares here
 Cold waves top 0% Strong wind Hurricanes Earthquakes Lightning Winter storms Ice storms Heat waves Landslides
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity
People, not buildings.Counting harm to people as well as buildings, FEMA’s model puts cold waves at 16% of Gorman’s expected losses. Cold waves do little damage to buildings (3.1%), so they aren’t part of the grade.

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Flood insurance claims

Does Gorman flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1989

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gorman, from FEMA’s records.

Paid flood claims, by year
1989: 1 claim1990: 0 claims1991: 0 claims1992: 0 claims1993: 0 claims1994: 0 claims1995: 0 claims1996: 0 claims1997: 0 claims1998: 0 claims1999: 0 claims2000: 0 claims2001: 0 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 0 claims2004: 0 claims2005: 0 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 0 claims2008: 0 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 0 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 0 claims2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 0 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims1989
19892026
1
paid claims since 1989
$6K
paid to owners
0
homes flooded more than once
$6K
average claim
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Gorman isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Eastland County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
2storm safe rooms built
Disasters

5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gorman

Disasters that paid out in Gorman itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gorman), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
  2. 2021Severe Winter Storms15 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
  3. 2011Wildfires$4K to the City of Gorman for repairs
  4. 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding4 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$42K to the City of Gorman for repairs
  5. 2005Extreme Wildfire Threat22 households applied for aid$133K aid approved
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in GormanEastland County only

Eastland County has had 16 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 5 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Eastland County, 2000–2022.

Were you here?

Old photos of Gorman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Gorman archive →
Be ready

Get ready for what Gorman faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Wildfire
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Hail
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Gorman

Does Gorman flood?

Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Gorman since 1989, $6K in all.

Is Gorman 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 Eastland County, 80% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Gorman?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gorman’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 Gorman?

By FEMA money that reached Gorman, Extreme Wildfire Threat (2005): 22 households applied for aid, $133K approved.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gorman.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gorman’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.