Natural Disaster Risk in Gilmer

Natural Hazard Profile: Gilmer, Texas

Gilmer is a city of approximately 12,774 residents in Upshur County, in the interior eastern United States. The area experiences an exceptionally varied climate from humid subtropical in the east to desert in the west, with overlapping tornado, hurricane, flood, and drought seasons shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Gilmer.

FEMA rates Gilmer's composite natural disaster risk at 6.8 out of 10 — high risk. Freezing rain and ice accretion are the primary winter hazard, with glaze ice events capable of downing power lines, snapping tree limbs, and making roads impassable for days. Residents should also account for tornado and wind risk in their preparedness planning.

Gilmer's risk score, slightly above the 5.6/10 state average and well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Upshur County, the highest-scoring are ice storm, tornado, and wind. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Gilmer residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for ice storm and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.