FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Gun Barrel City as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gun Barrel City gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #253 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2010.
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 Gun Barrel City 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
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 Gun Barrel City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gun Barrel City, and Gun Barrel City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts).
B #253 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gun Barrel City’s residents live in 5 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, Gun Barrel City has less expected damage per building than 61% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.8M a year in losses across Gun Barrel City: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gun Barrel City flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gun Barrel City, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Gun Barrel City 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gun Barrel City
Disasters that paid out in Gun Barrel City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Gun Barrel City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding90 households applied for aid$530K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms70 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding4 households applied for aid$5K aid approved$57K to the City of Gun Barrel City for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
Henderson County has had 19 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 Gun Barrel City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gun Barrel City archive →Gun Barrel City and its neighbors
Gun Barrel City is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mabank | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Seven Points | B+less damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Gun Barrel City | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
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 Gun Barrel City 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.
- 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 Gun Barrel City
Is Gun Barrel City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gun Barrel City has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #253 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gun Barrel City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Gun Barrel City since 2010, $33K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Gun Barrel City 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, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gun Barrel City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gun Barrel City’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 Gun Barrel City?
By FEMA money that reached Gun Barrel City, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2024): 90 households applied for aid, $530K approved.
Is Gun Barrel City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Gun Barrel City’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gun Barrel City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gun Barrel City’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.