Photo: Sinneed · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Oak Grove’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 70% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oak Grove gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (37%), then tornadoes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2008.
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 stands out about Oak Grove’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Oak Grove 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
Hail
Earthquakes
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 Oak Grove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 37% of the building damage FEMA expects in Oak Grove, and Oak Grove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Oak Grove’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $567K a year in losses across Oak Grove: $256K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Oak Grove flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Oak Grove, from FEMA’s records: 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Gustav2 claims · $109K
- The Late winter severe storms1 claim · $71K
Oak Grove isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: West Carroll Parish.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Oak Grove
Disasters that paid out in Oak Grove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Oak Grove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms37 households applied for aid$17K aid approved
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding453 households applied for aid$708K aid approved$3K to the Town of Oak Grove for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2008Hurricane Gustav174 households applied for aid$435K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $109K
- 1998Severe Ice Storm$11K to the Town of Oak Grove for repairs
West Carroll Parish has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms.
Old photos of Oak Grove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Oak Grove archive →Get ready for what Oak Grove 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.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Oak Grove
Is Oak Grove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Oak Grove has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (37%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Oak Grove flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Oak Grove since 2008, $188K in all, or 5.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Gustav (2).
Is Oak Grove 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 West Carroll Parish, 17% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Oak Grove?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Oak Grove’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 Oak Grove?
By FEMA money that reached Oak Grove, Severe Storms and Flooding (2016): 453 households applied for aid, $708K approved, and $3K to the Town of Oak Grove for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Gustav: 2 paid, $109K.
Is Oak Grove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (37%), and Oak Grove’s rate for it is lower than 93% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Oak Grove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Oak Grove’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.