FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Grayson than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grayson gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #68 of 264 in Georgia. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Grayson 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
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 Grayson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Grayson, and Grayson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #68 of 264 in Georgia; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Grayson’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Georgia town has lower expected damage than 72% of U.S. towns; within the state, Grayson has less expected damage per building than 75% of Georgia towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $973K a year in losses across Grayson: $826K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Grayson flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Grayson. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Grayson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Gwinnett County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Grayson
Disasters that paid out in Grayson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Grayson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
Gwinnett County has had 10 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.
Old photos of Grayson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Grayson archive →Get ready for what Grayson 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.
- 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 Grayson
Is Grayson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grayson has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #68 of 264 in Georgia. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Grayson 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 Gwinnett County, 63% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Grayson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Grayson’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 Grayson?
By FEMA money that reached Grayson, Severe Storms and Flooding (2009): 17 households applied for aid, $2K approved.
Is Grayson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Grayson’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Grayson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Grayson’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.