Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0FEMA puts Claremont’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Claremont gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2018.
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 Claremont’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Claremont 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
Ice storms
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 Claremont’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Claremont, and Claremont’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Claremont’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $522K a year in losses across Claremont: $426K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Claremont flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Claremont, from FEMA’s records: 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence1 claim · $42K
Claremont isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Catawba County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Claremont
Disasters that paid out in Claremont itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Claremont), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene314 households applied for aid$615K aid approved$73K to the City of Claremont for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides$50K to the City of Claremont for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances11 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$36K to the City of Claremont for repairs
Catawba County has had 17 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 Claremont after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Claremont archive →Get ready for what Claremont 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Claremont
Is Claremont at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Claremont has lower expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Claremont flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Claremont since 2018, $42K in all, or 1.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (1).
Is Claremont 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 Catawba County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Claremont?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Claremont’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 Claremont?
By FEMA money that reached Claremont, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 314 households applied for aid, $615K approved, and $73K to the City of Claremont for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 1 paid, $42K.
Is Claremont at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Claremont’s rate for it is lower than 78% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Claremont.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Claremont’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.