Photo: Mobilus In Mobili · CC BY-SA 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Granby than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Granby gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2017.
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 Granby 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
Ice storms
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 Granby’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Granby, and Granby’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 9%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Granby’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Granby: $652K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Granby flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Granby, from FEMA’s records: 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms2 claims · $102K
Granby isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Newton County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Granby
Disasters that paid out in Granby itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Granby), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding33 households applied for aid$152K aid approved$26K to the City of Granby for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding13 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2011Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm$3K to the City of Granby for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms and Tornadoes112 households applied for aid$489K aid approved
- 2008Severe Storms and Flooding13 households applied for aid$362 aid approved
Show all 7
- 2007Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$33K to the City of Granby for repairs
Newton County has had 23 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 Granby after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Granby archive →Get ready for what Granby 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Granby
Is Granby at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Granby has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and ice storms (9%). 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 Granby flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Granby since 2017, $147K in all, or 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (2).
Is Granby 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 Newton County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Granby?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Granby’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 Granby?
By FEMA money that reached Granby, Severe Storms and Tornadoes (2008): 112 households applied for aid, $489K approved. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 2 paid, $102K.
Is Granby at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Granby’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Granby.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Granby’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.