Gate City Historic District · Photo: Betcantrell · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Gate City as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gate City gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1978.
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 Gate 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
Earthquakes
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 Gate City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gate City, and Gate City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is earthquakes at 5% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
B− higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Gate City’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $698K a year in losses across Gate City: $590K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gate City flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gate City, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Gate 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: Scott County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gate City
Disasters that paid out in Gate City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Gate City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene179 households applied for aid$94K aid approved$49K to the Town of Gate City for repairs
- 2002Severe Storms and Flooding$16K to the Town of Gate City for repairs
Scott County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Scott County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Gate City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gate City archive →Gate City and its neighbors
Gate City has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gate City | B−more damage than 51% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Weber City | C+more damage than 60% | 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 Gate 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Gate City
Is Gate City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gate City has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%) and earthquakes (5%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gate City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Gate City since 1978, $63K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Gate 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 Scott County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gate City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gate 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 Gate City?
By FEMA money that reached Gate City, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 179 households applied for aid, $94K approved, and $49K to the Town of Gate City for repairs.
Is Gate City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Gate City’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gate City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gate 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.