Photo: Dwight Burdette · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Grass Lake’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grass Lake gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then tornadoes (22%). 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 Grass Lake 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
Hail
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 Grass Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Grass Lake, and Grass Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
A− lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Grass Lake’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $292K a year in losses across Grass Lake: $227K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Grass Lake flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Grass Lake. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Grass Lake 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Grass Lake
Disasters that paid out in Grass Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Grass Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2000Snow$4K to the Village of Grass Lake for repairs
Jackson County has had 7 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often winter storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Grass Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Grass Lake archive →Get ready for what Grass Lake 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.
- 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.
- 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 Grass Lake
Is Grass Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grass Lake has lower expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and tornadoes (22%). 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.
Is Grass Lake 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, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Grass Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Grass Lake’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 Grass Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Grass Lake, Snow (2000): $4K to the Village of Grass Lake for repairs.
Is Grass Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Grass Lake’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Grass Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Grass Lake’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.