Photo: Jon Platek · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Albemarle than in 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Albemarle gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns, #188 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 47 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 Albemarle 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
Hurricanes
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 Albemarle’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Albemarle, and Albemarle’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #188 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Albemarle’s residents live in 7 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical North Carolina town has lower expected damage than 51% of U.S. towns; within the state, Albemarle has more expected damage per building than 65% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.6M a year in losses across Albemarle: $5.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Albemarle flood? Sometimes: 47 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Albemarle, from FEMA’s records: 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence6 claims · $1.6M
Albemarle isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Stanly County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Albemarle
Disasters that paid out in Albemarle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Albemarle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene87 households applied for aid$53K aid approved
Stanly County has had 16 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Albemarle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Albemarle archive →Get ready for what Albemarle 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.
- 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.
- 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 Albemarle
Is Albemarle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Albemarle has higher expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #188 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Albemarle flood?
Flood insurance has paid 47 claims in Albemarle since 1979, $2.9M in all, or 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (6).
Is Albemarle 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 Stanly County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Albemarle?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Albemarle’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 Albemarle?
By FEMA money that reached Albemarle, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 87 households applied for aid, $53K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 6 paid, $1.6M.
Is Albemarle at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Albemarle’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Albemarle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Albemarle’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.