FEMA puts Grapeland’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grapeland gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2021.
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 Grapeland 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
Hurricanes
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 Grapeland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Grapeland, and Grapeland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 12% (higher than 72% of U.S. census tracts).
A− lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Grapeland’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $922K a year in losses across Grapeland: $357K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Grapeland flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2021
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Grapeland, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Grapeland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Houston County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Grapeland
Disasters that paid out in Grapeland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Grapeland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms95 households applied for aid$35K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Severe Storms and Flooding$7K to the City of Grapeland for repairs
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding$8K to the City of Grapeland for repairs
- 2008Hurricane Ike174 households applied for aid$81K aid approved$25K to the City of Grapeland for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita$10K to the City of Grapeland for repairs
Houston County has had 23 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 Grapeland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Grapeland archive →Get ready for what Grapeland 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.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- 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 Grapeland
Is Grapeland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grapeland has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Grapeland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Grapeland since 2021, $118K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Grapeland 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 Houston County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Grapeland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Grapeland’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 Grapeland?
By FEMA money that reached Grapeland, Hurricane Ike (2008): 174 households applied for aid, $81K approved, and $25K to the City of Grapeland for repairs.
Is Grapeland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Grapeland’s rate for it is lower than 75% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Grapeland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Grapeland’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.