Photo: Elizabeth B. Thomsen Ethomsen · CC BY 2.5FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Carrboro than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carrboro gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns, #215 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%). Flood insurance has paid 40 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 stands out about Carrboro’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Carrboro 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
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 Carrboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carrboro, and Carrboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
C #215 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Carrboro’s residents live in 9 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, Carrboro has more expected damage per building than 74% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $7.3M a year in losses across Carrboro: $6.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carrboro flood? Sometimes: 40 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Carrboro, from FEMA’s records: 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025 July TS Chantal23 claims · $2.4M
- Hurricane Florence6 claims · $77K
- Hurricane Helene1 claim · $29K
Carrboro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Carrboro
Disasters that paid out in Carrboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Carrboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Tropical Depression Chantal$109K to the Town of Carrboro for repairs24 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Florence14 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$170K to the Town of Carrboro for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $77K
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$16K to the Town of Carrboro for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel$11K to the Town of Carrboro for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$140K to the Town of Carrboro for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$8K to the Town of Carrboro for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$15K to the Town of Carrboro for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Orange County has had 22 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 Carrboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Carrboro archive →Carrboro and its neighbors
Carrboro is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapel Hill | C+more damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 384 |
| Carrboro | Cmore damage than 74% | river and rain flooding | 40 |
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 Carrboro 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.
- 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 Carrboro
Is Carrboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carrboro has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #215 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Carrboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 40 claims in Carrboro since 1982, $2.6M in all, or 3.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2025 July TS Chantal (23).
Is Carrboro 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 Orange County, 50% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Carrboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Carrboro’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 Carrboro?
By FEMA money that reached Carrboro, Hurricane Florence (2018): 14 households applied for aid, $3K approved, and $170K to the Town of Carrboro for repairs. By flood claims, 2025 July TS Chantal: 23 paid, $2.4M.
Is Carrboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Carrboro’s rate for it is higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Carrboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Carrboro’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.