Dempsey-Reynolds-Taylor House · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Eden faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eden gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #152 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 41 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 Eden 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
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 Eden’s grade
River and rain flooding is 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Eden, and Eden’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #152 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Eden’s residents live in 5 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, Eden has more expected damage per building than 52% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across Eden: $4.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Eden flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Eden, from FEMA’s records: 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran4 claims · $48K
- Hurricane Michael2 claims · $57K
Eden isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rockingham County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Eden
Disasters that paid out in Eden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Eden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Tropical Storm Michael$118K to the City of Eden for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $57K
- 2003Ice Storm$23K to the City of Eden for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$15K to the City of Eden for repairs
Rockingham 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 Eden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Eden archive →Get ready for what Eden 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.
- 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 Eden
Is Eden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Eden has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #152 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Eden flood?
Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in Eden since 1979, $383K in all, or 5.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (4).
Is Eden 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 Rockingham County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Eden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Eden’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 Eden?
By FEMA money that reached Eden, Tropical Storm Michael (2018): $118K to the City of Eden for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 4 paid, $48K.
Is Eden at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Eden’s rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Eden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Eden’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.