Storms, floods and disasters in Grubbs
Grubbs isn’t graded for hazard risk: Grubbs has 431 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1979.
What Grubbs 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
Ice storms
Tornadoes
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.
Does Grubbs flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Grubbs, from FEMA’s records.
- The Late spring severe storms1 claim · $20K
Grubbs isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jackson County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Grubbs
Disasters that paid out in Grubbs itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Grubbs), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$140K to the City of Grubbs for repairs
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$406 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding8 households applied for aid$51K aid approved$39K to the City of Grubbs for repairs
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$13K to the City of Grubbs for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms and Flooding$5K to the City of Grubbs for repairs
Jackson County has had 29 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Grubbs after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Grubbs archive →Get ready for what Grubbs 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Grubbs
Does Grubbs flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Grubbs since 1979, $143K in all. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (1).
Is Grubbs 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 Jackson County, 9% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Grubbs?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Grubbs’ 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 Grubbs?
By FEMA money that reached Grubbs, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2025): $140K to the City of Grubbs for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 1 paid, $20K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Grubbs.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Grubbs’ 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.