Gibsonville School · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Gibsonville than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gibsonville gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #82 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2025.
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 Gibsonville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Gibsonville 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 Gibsonville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Gibsonville, and Gibsonville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
B #82 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Gibsonville’s residents live in 4 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, Gibsonville has less expected damage per building than 72% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Gibsonville: $1.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Gibsonville flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2025
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Gibsonville, from FEMA’s records: 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Gibsonville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Alamance County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Gibsonville
Disasters that paid out in Gibsonville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Gibsonville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence10 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$129K to the Town of Gibsonville for repairs
- 2003Ice Storm$75K to the Town of Gibsonville for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$31K to the Town of Gibsonville for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$1K to the Town of Gibsonville for repairs
Alamance County has had 23 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 Gibsonville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Gibsonville archive →Gibsonville and its neighbors
Gibsonville is 2nd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Gibsonville | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Elon | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Whitsett | — | 569 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Gibsonville 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 Gibsonville
Is Gibsonville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Gibsonville has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #82 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hurricanes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Gibsonville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Gibsonville since 2025, $17K in all, or 0.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 96% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Gibsonville 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 Alamance County, 53% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Gibsonville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Gibsonville’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 Gibsonville?
By FEMA money that reached Gibsonville, Severe Winter Storm (2014): $129K to the Town of Gibsonville for repairs.
Is Gibsonville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Gibsonville’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Gibsonville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Gibsonville’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.