Photo: Nyttend · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Asheboro than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Asheboro gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #24 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 1982.
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 Asheboro 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 Asheboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Asheboro, and Asheboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #24 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Asheboro’s residents live in 13 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, Asheboro has less expected damage per building than 92% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.2M a year in losses across Asheboro: $4.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Asheboro flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Asheboro, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence1 claim · $6K
- Hurricane Helene1 claim · $15K
Asheboro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Randolph County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Asheboro
Disasters that paid out in Asheboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Asheboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene6 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $15K
- 2018Tropical Storm Michael$33K to the City of Asheboro for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence$213K to the City of Asheboro for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$300K to the City of Asheboro for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$611K to the City of Asheboro for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$27K to the City of Asheboro for repairs
Randolph County has had 20 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 Asheboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Asheboro archive →Asheboro and its neighbors
Asheboro has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheboro | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
| Randleman | Bless damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 Asheboro 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 Asheboro
Is Asheboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Asheboro has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #24 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Asheboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Asheboro since 1982, $100K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (1).
Is Asheboro 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 Randolph County, 35% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Asheboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Asheboro’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 Asheboro?
By FEMA money that reached Asheboro, Severe Ice Storm (2002): $611K to the City of Asheboro for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Asheboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Asheboro’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Asheboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Asheboro’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.