Less hazard damage per building is expected in Groesbeck than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Groesbeck gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #403 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then tornadoes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1993.
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 Groesbeck 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 Groesbeck’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Groesbeck, and Groesbeck’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 26%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #403 of 993 in Ohio; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Groesbeck’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Groesbeck has less expected damage per building than 59% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Groesbeck: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Groesbeck flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Groesbeck, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Groesbeck isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hamilton County.The storms Groesbeck remembers
None of the 16 disasters declared for Hamilton County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Groesbeck itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 19931 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 19981 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
- 20101 flood claims paidNo declaration for the county that year
Hamilton County has had 16 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 Groesbeck after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Groesbeck archive →Groesbeck and its neighbors
Groesbeck is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northgate | Aless damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Groesbeck | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Northbrook | B+less damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| White Oak | B+less damage than 66% | river and rain flooding | 32 |
| Skyline Acres | Bless damage than 59% | 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 Groesbeck 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 Groesbeck
Is Groesbeck at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Groesbeck has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #403 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and tornadoes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Groesbeck flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Groesbeck since 1993, $5K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Groesbeck 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 Hamilton County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Groesbeck?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Groesbeck’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
Is Groesbeck at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Groesbeck’s rate for it is lower than 80% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Groesbeck.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Groesbeck’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.