Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Groesbeck than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Groesbeck gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #169 of 642 in Texas. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2009.
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
Hurricanes
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 Groesbeck’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Groesbeck, and Groesbeck’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #169 of 642 in Texas; lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Groesbeck’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, Groesbeck has less expected damage per building than 74% of Texas towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Groesbeck: $762K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Groesbeck flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Groesbeck, from FEMA’s records: 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Spring Storm1 claim · $5K
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: Limestone County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Groesbeck
Disasters that paid out in Groesbeck itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Groesbeck), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2021Severe Winter Storms121 households applied for aid$97K aid approved
Limestone County has had 15 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 →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.
- 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.
- 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 Groesbeck
Is Groesbeck at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Groesbeck has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #169 of 642 in Texas. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (6%). 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 Groesbeck flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Groesbeck since 2009, $19K in all, or 1.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Spring Storm (1).
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 Limestone County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% 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.
What was the biggest storm in Groesbeck?
By FEMA money that reached Groesbeck, Severe Winter Storms (2021): 121 households applied for aid, $97K approved. By flood claims, Spring Storm: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Groesbeck at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Groesbeck’s rate for it is lower than 53% 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.