On FEMA’s figures, Grandville faces less hazard damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grandville gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #74 of 701 in Michigan. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%), then tornadoes (11%). Flood insurance has paid 45 claims here since 1979.
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 Grandville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Grandville 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 Grandville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Grandville, and Grandville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 11% (higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts).
A #74 of 701 in Michigan; lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Grandville’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Michigan town has lower expected damage than 77% of U.S. towns; within the state, Grandville has less expected damage per building than 90% of Michigan towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across Grandville: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Grandville flood? Sometimes: 45 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Grandville, from FEMA’s records: 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Ike3 claims · $12K
Grandville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Kent County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Grandville
Disasters that paid out in Grandville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Grandville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2013Flooding$60K to the City of Grandville for repairs17 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$260 aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Snow$9K to the City of Grandville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Mi - Severe Weather 1/2 /99$16K to the City of Grandville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Kent County has had 10 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 Grandville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Grandville archive →Grandville and its neighbors
Grandville is 2nd of the 4 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walker | A+less damage than 95% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Grandville | Aless damage than 93% | river and rain flooding | 45 |
| Wyoming | Aless damage than 92% | river and rain flooding | 69 |
| Georgetown Township | A−less damage than 85% | river and rain flooding | 36 |
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 Grandville 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 Grandville
Is Grandville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grandville has lower expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk, #74 of 701 in Michigan. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (11%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Grandville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 45 claims in Grandville since 1979, $2.1M in all, or 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Ike (3).
Is Grandville 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 Kent County, 0.3% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Grandville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Grandville’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 Grandville?
By FEMA money that reached Grandville, Flooding (2013): $60K to the City of Grandville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Ike: 3 paid, $12K.
Is Grandville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Grandville’s rate for it is lower than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Grandville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Grandville’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.