Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Graham than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Graham gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #187 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then tornadoes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 32 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 Graham’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Graham 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 Graham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Graham, and Graham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 10%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #187 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Graham’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Graham has less expected damage per building than 71% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across Graham: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Graham flood? Sometimes: 32 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Graham, from FEMA’s records: 8.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Graham isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Young County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Graham
Disasters that paid out in Graham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Graham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms4 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
Young County has had 13 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.
Also 3 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Young County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Graham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Graham archive →Get ready for what Graham 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 Graham
Is Graham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Graham has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #187 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and tornadoes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Graham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 32 claims in Graham since 1978, $186K in all, or 8.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Graham 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 Young County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Graham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Graham’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 Graham?
By FEMA money that reached Graham, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 4 households applied for aid, $11K approved.
Is Graham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Graham’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Graham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Graham’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.