Grape Creek’s building-damage rate from wildfire is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grape Creek gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #236 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%), then wildfire (25%). Flood insurance has paid 13 claims here since 1998.
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 Grape Creek 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
Wildfire
Hail
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 Grape Creek’s grade
River and rain flooding is 53% of the building damage FEMA expects in Grape Creek, and Grape Creek’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 25%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
B #236 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Grape Creek’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Texas town has higher expected damage than 50% of U.S. towns; within the state, Grape Creek has less expected damage per building than 63% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $882K a year in losses across Grape Creek: $554K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Grape Creek flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Grape Creek, from FEMA’s records: 8.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025 July Central TX Flooding7 claims · $280K
Grape Creek isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Tom Green County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Grape Creek
Disasters that paid out in Grape Creek itself (aid to households or repair grants to Grape Creek), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$12K aid approved7 flood claims paid that year
Tom Green County has had 15 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Tom Green County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Grape Creek after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Grape Creek archive →Get ready for what Grape Creek 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.
- Clear dead leaves and brush within 5 feet of the house.
- Sign up for local alerts and know two ways out.
- Keep N95 masks for smoky days.
- 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.
- 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 Grape Creek
Is Grape Creek at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grape Creek has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #236 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (53%) and wildfire (25%). 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 Grape Creek flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Grape Creek since 1998, $378K in all, or 8.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 70% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2025 July Central TX Flooding (7).
Is Grape Creek 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 Tom Green County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Grape Creek?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Grape Creek’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 Grape Creek?
By FEMA money that reached Grape Creek, Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (2025): 5 households applied for aid, $12K approved. By flood claims, 2025 July Central TX Flooding: 7 paid, $280K.
Is Grape Creek at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (53%), and Grape Creek’s rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Grape Creek.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Grape Creek’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.