Photo: pasa47 · CC BY 2.0Longview’s building-damage rate from ice storms is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Longview gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #224 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then tornadoes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 117 claims here since 1979.
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 Longview’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Longview 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 Longview’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Longview, and Longview’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 17%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B #224 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Longview’s residents live in 23 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, Longview has less expected damage per building than 65% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $35.0M a year in losses across Longview: $16.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Longview flood? Yes: 117 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Longview, from FEMA’s records: 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late winter severe storms12 claims · $651K
Longview 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.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Longview
Disasters that paid out in Longview itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Longview), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl1 households applied for aid$750 aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms953 households applied for aid$575K aid approved$47K to the City of Longview for repairs
- 2016Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding98 households applied for aid$158K aid approved$721K to the City of Longview for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding8 households applied for aid$18K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Wildfires2 households applied for aid$25K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 11
- 2008Hurricane Ike232 households applied for aid$106K aid approved$291K to the City of Longview for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Gustav$20K to the City of Longview for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita1 households applied for aid$31K to the City of Longview for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Katrina Evacuation$522K to the City of Longview for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$341K to the City of Longview for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
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 Longview after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Longview archive →Longview and its neighbors
Longview is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Oak | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Longview | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 117 |
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 Longview 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 Longview
Is Longview at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Longview has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #224 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and tornadoes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Longview flood?
Flood insurance has paid 117 claims in Longview since 1979, $2.2M in all, or 3.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 50% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 16 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late winter severe storms (12).
Is Longview 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 Longview?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Longview’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 Longview?
By FEMA money that reached Longview, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2016): 98 households applied for aid, $158K approved, and $721K to the City of Longview for repairs. By flood claims, Late winter severe storms: 12 paid, $651K.
Is Longview at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Longview’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Longview.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Longview’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.