Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, De Graff faces more hazard damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, De Graff gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1991.
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 De Graff 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
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 De Graff’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in De Graff, and De Graff’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 8% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of De Graff’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $699K a year in losses across De Graff: $608K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does De Graff flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in De Graff, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
De Graff isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Logan County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to De Graff
Disasters that paid out in De Graff itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of De Graff), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2004Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides51 households applied for aid$73K aid approved$19K to the Village of De Graff for repairs
- 2004Snow$3K to the Village of De Graff for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding9 households applied for aid$38K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Logan County has had 10 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of De Graff after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the De Graff archive →De Graff and its neighbors
De Graff is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Pleasant Township | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | — |
| De Graff | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 De Graff 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.
- 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 De Graff
Is De Graff at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, De Graff has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and tornadoes (8%). 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 De Graff flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in De Graff since 1991, $5K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is De Graff 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 Logan County, 0.9% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in De Graff?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for De Graff’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 De Graff?
By FEMA money that reached De Graff, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (2004): 51 households applied for aid, $73K approved, and $19K to the Village of De Graff for repairs.
Is De Graff at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and De Graff’s rate for it is higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in De Graff.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where De Graff’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.