Longview, Texas: natural disaster risk
How exposed Longview is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Gregg County.
Longview is a city of 82,923 people in Gregg County, Texas. Parts of Longview also reach into Harrison County. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Gregg County relatively moderate for natural hazards overall, about average for the US. The costliest hazards there are tornado, inland flooding and cold wave, with about $54.6 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 636 storm reports in the county since 1954, including 38 tornadoes and 101 floods. NOAA hurricane records show 0 hurricanes and 10 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the county's center. About 0.6% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for Gregg County, the county with most of the population Longview sits in. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Longview
Full Gregg County report ›- Pick a shelter spot: a basement, or an inside room on the lowest floor with no windows.
- Turn on emergency alerts on your phone and keep a weather radio.
- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Insulate pipes in outside walls, crawl spaces and garages.
- Know how to shut off the main water valve.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Tornado | $20M | |
| Inland flooding | $15M | |
| Cold wave | $5M | |
| Heat wave | $4M | |
| Strong wind | $3M | |
| Ice storm | $3M | |
| Hail | $3M | |
| Lightning | $625K | |
| Hurricane | $602K | |
| Earthquake | $426K | |
| Drought | $346K | |
| Winter weather | $217K |
Homes in Longview
Older homes and mobile homes usually take more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes. Ask about roof age, flood history and retrofits before you buy or rent.
Strongest tornadoes in Gregg County
Common questions about Longview
Is Longview safe from natural disasters?
Longview is in Gregg County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively moderate overall, about average for the US. The biggest hazards are tornado, inland flooding, cold wave. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in Longview?
By expected yearly losses in Gregg County, the top hazards are tornado (High), inland flooding (Moderate), cold wave (Moderate). Gregg County has been part of 20 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does Longview get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 38 tornadoes in Gregg County since 1950; the strongest was an F3 tornado on April 1, 1979. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county high.
Do I need flood insurance in Longview?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In Gregg County, about 0.6% of homes have federal flood insurance, and FEMA rates inland flooding risk moderate. Check the FEMA flood map for your address and get a quote even outside a high-risk zone.