Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, McCrory faces more hazard damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns, led by earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McCrory gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (38%), then river and rain flooding (34%). Flood insurance has paid 21 claims here since 1987.
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 McCrory’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What McCrory faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Earthquakes
River and rain flooding
Ice storms
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 McCrory’s grade
Earthquakes are 38% of the building damage FEMA expects in McCrory, and McCrory’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 13%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of McCrory’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across McCrory: $925K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does McCrory flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1987
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in McCrory, from FEMA’s records: 24.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Late spring severe storms6 claims · $145K
McCrory isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Woodruff County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to McCrory
Disasters that paid out in McCrory itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of McCrory), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$18K to the City of McCrory for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding5 households applied for aid$43K aid approved$25K to the City of McCrory for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$26K to the City of McCrory for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$59K to the City of McCrory for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Ice Storm$45K to the City of McCrory for repairs
Woodruff County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of McCrory after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the McCrory archive →McCrory and its neighbors
McCrory has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| McCrory | Dmore damage than 89% | earthquakes | 21 |
| Patterson | — | 364 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what McCrory faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 McCrory
Is McCrory at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, McCrory has higher expected damage per building than 89% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (38%) and river and rain flooding (34%). 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 McCrory flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in McCrory since 1987, $409K in all, or 24.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Late spring severe storms (6).
Is McCrory 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 Woodruff County, 0.8% of all homes carry federal flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in McCrory?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for McCrory’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 McCrory?
By FEMA money that reached McCrory, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Associated Flooding (2011): 5 households applied for aid, $43K approved, and $25K to the City of McCrory for repairs. By flood claims, Late spring severe storms: 6 paid, $145K.
Is McCrory at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (38%), and McCrory’s rate for it is in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in McCrory.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where McCrory’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.