FEMA puts Plum Grove’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 85% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plum Grove gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hurricanes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 44 claims here since 1989.
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 Plum Grove 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
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 Plum Grove’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Plum Grove, and Plum Grove’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 19% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Plum Grove’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $332K a year in losses across Plum Grove: $142K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Plum Grove flood? Sometimes: 44 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Plum Grove, from FEMA’s records: 82.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey15 claims · $2.5M
- The Texas Spring Flooding11 claims · $1.3M
- Tropical Storm Imelda6 claims · $200K
Plum Grove isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Liberty County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Plum Grove
Disasters that paid out in Plum Grove itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Plum Grove), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Beryl3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$26K to the City of Plum Grove for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Harvey1 households applied for aid$813K to the City of Plum Grove for repairs15 flood claims paid for it, $2.5M
- 2008Hurricane Ike$3K to the City of Plum Grove for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Rita3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Liberty County has had 31 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 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Liberty County, 2000–2000.
Old photos of Plum Grove after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Plum Grove archive →Get ready for what Plum Grove 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.
- 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 Plum Grove
Is Plum Grove at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Plum Grove has higher expected damage per building than 85% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hurricanes (19%). 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 Plum Grove flood?
Flood insurance has paid 44 claims in Plum Grove since 1989, $4.1M in all, or 82.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (15).
Is Plum Grove 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 Liberty County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Plum Grove?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Plum Grove’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 Plum Grove?
By FEMA money that reached Plum Grove, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 1 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $813K to the City of Plum Grove for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 15 paid, $2.5M.
Is Plum Grove at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Plum Grove’s rate for it is higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Plum Grove.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Plum Grove’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.