Photo: Alamance County NC · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Graham 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, Graham gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #102 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1995.
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 Graham’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Graham 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 Graham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Graham, and Graham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
B #102 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Graham’s residents live in 8 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, Graham has less expected damage per building than 65% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Graham: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Graham flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Graham, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025 July TS Chantal16 claims · $1.7M
- Hurricane Fran3 claims · $13K
- Hurricane Helene1 claim · $2K
Graham 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Graham
Disasters that paid out in Graham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Graham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Tropical Depression Chantal$16.2M to the City of Graham for repairs16 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$271K to the City of Graham for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Ice Storm$35K to the City of Graham for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$46K to the City of Graham for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$13K to the City of Graham for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$2K to the City of Graham 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 Graham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Graham archive →Graham and its neighbors
Graham is 3rd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haw River | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Burlington | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 52 |
| Graham | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
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 Graham 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 Graham
Is Graham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Graham has lower expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #102 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and hurricanes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Graham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Graham since 1995, $1.8M in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2025 July TS Chantal (16).
Is Graham 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 Graham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Graham’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 Graham?
By FEMA money that reached Graham, Tropical Depression Chantal (2025): $16.2M to the City of Graham for repairs. By flood claims, 2025 July TS Chantal: 16 paid, $1.7M.
Is Graham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Graham’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Graham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Graham’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.