Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Black Mountain

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Black Mountain NC downtownPhoto: Mojo Hand · CC BY-SA 4.0
B+Hazard risk
Natural hazards in Black Mountain · FEMA

FEMA puts Black Mountain’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Black Mountain gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #48 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%). Flood insurance has paid 59 claims here since 1979.

River and rain flooding 83%Tornadoes 6%Earthquakes 4%

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

less than 72%of U.S. townsLess damageMoreExpected yearly damage per dollar of building, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade#48 of 290 in North Carolina
Hazard risk
B+#48 of 290
in North Carolina · lower than 72% of U.S. towns
Main hazard
River and rain flooding
83% of expected building damage
Flood claims
59
paid since 1979 · $4.7M
Flooded more than once
7
properties
Disasters paid out here
6
of 16 declared for Buncombe County

What stands out about Black Mountain’s natural hazards

From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.

Lower expected damage than 72% of U.S. townsFEMA’s model of yearly storm and flood damage per dollar of building.Landslides: the top 1% of U.S. tractsFEMA’s building-damage rate for landslides here ranks in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts; it is 1.9% of the damage it expects.Moved out of harm’s way37 flood-prone properties bought out and cleared; 9 homes raised above flood level with FEMA grants.Remembers 202436 flood claims were paid for 2024 alone, the most of any year.
By hazard

What Black Mountain 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

83%of expected building damage
About average · higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts
Recorded about once a year in the area

Tornadoes

6%of expected building damage
About average · higher than 55% of U.S. census tracts
Smaller shares here
 Earthquakes Ice storms Landslides top 1% Hurricanes Hail Strong wind Lightning Wildfire Winter storms Cold waves
FEMA models no building damage here
Coastal floodingHeat wavesAvalanchesTsunamisVolcanic activity
People, not buildings.Counting harm to people as well as buildings, FEMA’s model puts cold waves at 20% of Black Mountain’s expected losses. Cold waves do little damage to buildings (0.0%), so they aren’t part of the grade.

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.

Flood risk changes street by street. Check a specific address on FEMA’s flood map, and ask about flood insurance before you buy.
Hazard risk grade

What’s behind Black Mountain’s grade

River and rain flooding is 83% of the building damage FEMA expects in Black Mountain, and Black Mountain’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.

Where Black Mountain sits
Black Mountain
Least damageMiddleMost damage

B+ #48 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).

Black Mountain’s residents live in 5 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.

What drives the damage to buildings
River and rain flooding83%Tornadoes6%Earthquakes4%Everything else7%

The typical North Carolina town has lower expected damage than 51% of U.S. towns; within the state, Black Mountain has less expected damage per building than 84% of North Carolina towns.

In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.6M a year in losses across Black Mountain: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.

Recent disaster.FEMA’s model looks at expected damage to the buildings standing today. After Tropical Storm Helene in 2024, FEMA took 4,828 aid registrations from Black Mountain addresses (the town has 4,884 homes) and flood insurance paid 36 claims for $4.5M.
A small-area figure. Black Mountain covers 5 census tracts, combined by where residents live. FEMA’s model is an average year for today’s buildings, not a record: the claims and disasters below are the record.

How TownRatings grades hazard risk →

Flood insurance claims

Does Black Mountain flood? Sometimes: 59 flood claims since 1979

Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Black Mountain, from FEMA’s records: 12.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.

Paid flood claims, by year
1979: 3 claims1980: 0 claims1981: 0 claims1982: 0 claims1983: 0 claims1984: 0 claims1985: 0 claims1986: 0 claims1987: 0 claims1988: 0 claims1989: 0 claims1990: 0 claims1991: 0 claims1992: 0 claims1993: 0 claims1994: 0 claims1995: 0 claims1996: 0 claims1997: 0 claims1998: 0 claims1999: 0 claims2000: 0 claims2001: 0 claims2002: 0 claims2003: 0 claims2004: 11 claims2005: 0 claims2006: 0 claims2007: 0 claims2008: 0 claims2009: 0 claims2010: 0 claims2011: 0 claims2012: 0 claims2013: 0 claims2014: 0 claims2015: 0 claims2016: 0 claims2017: 0 claims2018: 8 claims2019: 0 claims2020: 1 claim2021: 0 claims2022: 0 claims2023: 0 claims2024: 36 claims2025: 0 claims2026: 0 claims200420182024
19792026
Biggest named events
  • Hurricane Helene36 claims · $4.5M
  • Tropical Storm Ivan6 claims · $12K
59
paid claims since 1979
$4.7M
paid to owners
7
homes flooded more than once
$80K
average claim
Homes that flooded again and again
FEMA “severe repetitive loss” (0)Flooded 2+ times
of homes in flood zones are insured
of all homes are insured
No community discount

Black Mountain isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.

Insurance rates: Buncombe County.
What’s been done with FEMA grants
37flood-prone properties bought out and cleared
9homes raised above flood level
Disasters

6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Black Mountain

Disasters that paid out in Black Mountain itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Black Mountain), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.

  1. 2024Tropical Storm Helene4,828 households applied for aid$24.8M aid approved$4.8M to the Town of Black Mountain for repairs36 flood claims paid for it, $4.5M
  2. 2021Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred23 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$306K to the Town of Black Mountain for repairs
  3. 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$41K to the Town of Black Mountain for repairs
  4. 2009Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$14K to the Town of Black Mountain for repairs
  5. 2004Hurricane Ivan159 households applied for aid$254K aid approved$188K to the Town of Black Mountain for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $12K
  6. 2004Tropical Storm Frances159 households applied for aid$284K aid approved$83K to the Town of Black Mountain for repairs
Disasters declared, by decade
Paid out in Black MountainBuncombe County only

Buncombe 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.

Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Buncombe County, 2016–2016.

Were you here?

Old photos of Black Mountain after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.

Add to the Black Mountain archive →
Next door

Black Mountain and its neighbors

Black Mountain has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.

Swannanoa: hazard risk B−Montreat: hazard risk B+SwannanoaMontreatBlack Mountain
Lowest fifthSecondMiddleFourthHighest fifth
TownHazard riskMostly (buildings)Flood claims
Black MountainB+less damage than 72%river and rain flooding59
MontreatB+less damage than 69%river and rain flooding5
SwannanoaB−less damage than 54%river and rain flooding59

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.

Be ready

Get ready for what Black Mountain faces

A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.

When the river rises
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Tornado warnings
  • 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.
More from Ready.gov ↗
Before you buy or rent
  • 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.
When a storm is coming
Forecast and alertsWeather →911, the nearest ERSafety →

Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.

Questions about natural hazards in Black Mountain

Is Black Mountain at risk for natural disasters?

On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Black Mountain has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #48 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (83%) and tornadoes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.

Does Black Mountain flood?

Flood insurance has paid 59 claims in Black Mountain since 1979, $4.7M in all, or 12.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 77% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (36).

Is Black Mountain 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 Buncombe County, 41% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.

How much is flood insurance in Black Mountain?

FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Black Mountain’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 Black Mountain?

By FEMA money that reached Black Mountain, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 4,828 households applied for aid, $24.8M approved, and $4.8M to the Town of Black Mountain for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 36 paid, $4.5M.

Is Black Mountain at risk from river and rain flooding?

It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (83%), and Black Mountain’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.

Storm stories

Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Black Mountain.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Black Mountain’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.