Magnolia Manor · Photo: MuZemike · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Cairo’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from earthquakes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cairo gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is earthquakes (62%), then river and rain flooding (24%). Flood insurance has paid 51 claims here since 1979.
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 Cairo’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Cairo 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
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 Cairo’s grade
Earthquakes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cairo, and Cairo’s rate of earthquakes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 6%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Cairo’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Cairo: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cairo flood? Sometimes: 51 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Cairo, from FEMA’s records: 42.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Mid-spring storms18 claims · $73K
- The March storm5 claims · $18K
- The Early winter storms1 claim · $9K
Cairo isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Alexander County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cairo
Disasters that paid out in Cairo itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Cairo), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Storms and Flooding$156K to the City of Cairo for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms and Flooding702 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved$488K to the City of Cairo for repairs20 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storm$57K to the City of Cairo for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding132 households applied for aid$161K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding$16K to the City of Cairo for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
Alexander County has had 14 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 Cairo after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cairo archive →Get ready for what Cairo 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.
- 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 Cairo
Is Cairo at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cairo has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is earthquakes (62%) and river and rain flooding (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Cairo flood?
Flood insurance has paid 51 claims in Cairo since 1979, $183K in all, or 42.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Mid-spring storms (18).
Is Cairo 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 Alexander County, 7% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cairo?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cairo’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 Cairo?
By FEMA money that reached Cairo, Severe Storms and Flooding (2011): 702 households applied for aid, $1.2M approved, and $488K to the City of Cairo for repairs. By flood claims, Mid-spring storms: 18 paid, $73K.
Is Cairo at risk from earthquakes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Cairo’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cairo.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cairo’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.