Photo: Andrew Filer · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Grafton faces more hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grafton gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #16 of 23 in North Dakota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%). Flood insurance has paid 236 claims here since 1978.
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 Grafton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Grafton 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 Grafton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Grafton, and Grafton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 5%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C #16 of 23 in North Dakota; higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Grafton’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical North Dakota town has lower expected damage than 59% of U.S. towns; within the state, Grafton has more expected damage per building than 68% of North Dakota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.4M a year in losses across Grafton: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Grafton flood? Yes: 236 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Grafton, from FEMA’s records: 112.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring storms13 claims · $81K
- The Winter storm3 claims · $4K
Grafton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Walsh County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Grafton
Disasters that paid out in Grafton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Grafton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Flooding$60K to the City of Grafton for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms and Flooding$118K to the City of Grafton for repairs
- 2013Flooding$254K to the City of Grafton for repairs
- 2011Flooding$22K to the City of Grafton for repairs
- 2010Flooding$56K to the City of Grafton for repairs
- 2010Flooding$24K to the City of Grafton for repairs
Show all 11
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding48 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$253K to the City of Grafton for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2006Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$3K to the City of Grafton for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$284K to the City of Grafton for repairs10 flood claims paid that year
- 2001Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation$20K to the City of Grafton for repairs
- 2000Severe Storms, Flooding and Ground Saturation$8K to the City of Grafton for repairs
Walsh County has had 36 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often floods, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Grafton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Grafton archive →Grafton and its neighbors
Grafton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grafton | Cmore damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 236 |
| Oakwood Township | — | 194 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Grafton Township | — | 213 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 Grafton 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 Grafton
Is Grafton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grafton has higher expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #16 of 23 in North Dakota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Grafton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 236 claims in Grafton since 1978, $799K in all, or 112.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring storms (13).
Is Grafton 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 Walsh County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Grafton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Grafton’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 Grafton?
By FEMA money that reached Grafton, Severe Storms, Flooding, and Ground Saturation (2004): $284K to the City of Grafton for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring storms: 13 paid, $81K.
Is Grafton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Grafton’s rate for it is higher than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Grafton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Grafton’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.