Photo: Niels0827 · CC BY-SA 3.0For strong wind, Granville’s building-damage rate is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Granville gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then tornadoes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2013.
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 Granville 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
Strong wind
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 Granville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Granville, and Granville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 9%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Granville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Granville: $734K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Granville flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2013
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Granville, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms1 claim · $282K
Granville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Putnam County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Granville
Disasters that paid out in Granville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Granville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding25 households applied for aid$35K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$8K to the Village of Granville for repairs
- 2006Snow$8K to the Village of Granville for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Tornadoes60 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$42K to the Village of Granville for repairs
- 1999Il-winter Storm 1/1/99$3K to the Village of Granville for repairs
Putnam County has had 8 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Granville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Granville archive →Granville and its neighbors
Granville has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granville | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Mark | — | 574 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Granville 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Granville
Is Granville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Granville has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and tornadoes (13%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Granville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Granville since 2013, $282K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (1).
Is Granville 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 Putnam County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Granville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Granville’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 Granville?
By FEMA money that reached Granville, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2004): 60 households applied for aid, $25K approved, and $42K to the Village of Granville for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 1 paid, $282K.
Is Granville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Granville’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Granville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Granville’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.