Photo: Chris Flook · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Matthews
Matthews isn’t graded for hazard risk: Matthews has 501 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2011.
What Matthews 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
Earthquakes
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.
Does Matthews flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2011
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Matthews, from FEMA’s records.
Matthews isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Grant County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Matthews
Disasters that paid out in Matthews itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Matthews), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2005Severe Winter Storms and Flooding17 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$5K to the Town of Matthews for repairs
- 2003Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
Grant County has had 18 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 Matthews after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Matthews archive →Get ready for what Matthews 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Matthews
Does Matthews flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Matthews since 2011, $5K in all.
Is Matthews 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 Grant County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Matthews?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Matthews’ 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 Matthews?
By FEMA money that reached Matthews, Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (2005): 17 households applied for aid, $13K approved, and $5K to the Town of Matthews for repairs.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Matthews.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Matthews’ 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.