Photo: JohnCLain · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Graceville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Graceville gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (63%), then river and rain flooding (28%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1985.
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 Graceville faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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.
What’s behind Graceville’s grade
Hurricanes are 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Graceville, and Graceville’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 28% (lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Graceville’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Graceville: $892K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Graceville flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Graceville, from FEMA’s records: 6.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Dennis1 claim · $17K
- Hurricane Ivan1 claim · $29K
- Tropical Storm Fay1 claim · $11K
Graceville 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Graceville
Disasters that paid out in Graceville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Graceville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Michael502 households applied for aid$239K aid approved$83K to the City of Graceville for repairs
- 2014Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$72K to the City of Graceville for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds13 households applied for aid$18K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Dennis$4K to the City of Graceville for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $17K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan63 households applied for aid$119K aid approved$6K to the City of Graceville for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $29K
Jackson County has had 24 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe 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 Jackson County, 1999–1999.
Old photos of Graceville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Graceville archive →Get ready for what Graceville faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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.
- 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 Graceville
Is Graceville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Graceville has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (63%) and river and rain flooding (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Graceville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Graceville since 1985, $80K in all, or 6.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Dennis (1).
Is Graceville 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, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Graceville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Graceville’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 Graceville?
By FEMA money that reached Graceville, Hurricane Michael (2018): 502 households applied for aid, $239K approved, and $83K to the City of Graceville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Dennis: 1 paid, $17K.
Is Graceville at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Graceville’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Graceville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Graceville’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.