Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Kilgore faces less hazard damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kilgore gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #146 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 48 claims here since 1987.
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 stands out about Kilgore’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kilgore 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
Ice storms
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 Kilgore’s grade
River and rain flooding is 52% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kilgore, and Kilgore’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #146 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kilgore’s residents live in 6 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, Kilgore has less expected damage per building than 77% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.9M a year in losses across Kilgore: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kilgore flood? Sometimes: 48 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kilgore, from FEMA’s records: 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms9 claims · $817K
- The Early summer storms1 claim · $5K
Kilgore isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gregg County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kilgore
Disasters that paid out in Kilgore itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kilgore), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding23 households applied for aid$82K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms227 households applied for aid$139K aid approved$29K to the City of Kilgore for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding46 households applied for aid$164K aid approved$322K to the City of Kilgore for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Wildfires3 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2008Hurricane Ike43 households applied for aid$49K aid approved6 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$72K to the City of Kilgore for repairs
Gregg County has had 16 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 Kilgore after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kilgore archive →Get ready for what Kilgore 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.
- 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.
- 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 Kilgore
Is Kilgore at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kilgore has lower expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #146 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (52%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kilgore flood?
Flood insurance has paid 48 claims in Kilgore since 1987, $1.0M in all, or 9.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 72% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 10 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (9).
Is Kilgore 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 Gregg County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kilgore?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kilgore’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 Kilgore?
By FEMA money that reached Kilgore, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2016): 46 households applied for aid, $164K approved, and $322K to the City of Kilgore for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 9 paid, $817K.
Is Kilgore at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (52%), and Kilgore’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kilgore.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kilgore’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.