Glencoe Mill Village Historic District · Photo: JoAnn Sieburg-Baker · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Glen Raven than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glen Raven gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #57 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 7 claims here since 1996.
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 Glen Raven 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
Tornadoes
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 Glen Raven’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Glen Raven, and Glen Raven’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #57 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Glen Raven’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, Glen Raven has less expected damage per building than 81% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $607K a year in losses across Glen Raven: $458K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Glen Raven flood? Rarely: 7 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Glen Raven, from FEMA’s records: 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025 July TS Chantal1 claim · $432
- Hurricane Fran1 claim · $8K
Glen Raven 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.The storms Glen Raven remembers
None of the 23 disasters declared for Alamance County shows FEMA aid or repair money reaching Glen Raven itself in FEMA’s records, so these are its biggest flood-claim years.
- 20252 flood claims paidThe year of Tropical Depression Chantal, declared for Alamance County
- 19961 flood claims paidThe year of Hurricane Fran, declared for Alamance County
- 20031 flood claims paidThe year of Ice Storm, declared for Alamance County
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 Glen Raven after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Glen Raven archive →Glen Raven and its neighbors
Glen Raven 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 |
| Glen Raven | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 7 |
| Elon | Bless damage than 60% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
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 Glen Raven 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.
- 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.
- 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 Glen Raven
Is Glen Raven at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Glen Raven has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #57 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Glen Raven flood?
Flood insurance has paid 7 claims in Glen Raven since 1996, $42K in all, or 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2025 July TS Chantal (1).
Is Glen Raven 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 Glen Raven?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Glen Raven’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 Glen Raven?
By flood claims, 2025 July TS Chantal: 1 paid, $432.
Is Glen Raven at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Glen Raven’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Glen Raven.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Glen Raven’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.