Granite Mill · Photo: Bureau of Labor Statistics, State of North Carolina (1897) & State Library of North Carolina · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Haw River than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Haw River gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Haw River 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 Haw River’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Haw River, and Haw River’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Haw River’s residents live in 4 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $469K a year in losses across Haw River: $366K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Haw River flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Haw River, from FEMA’s records: 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025 July TS Chantal2 claims · $165K
- Hurricane Fran1 claim · $60K
Haw River 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 Haw River
Disasters that paid out in Haw River itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Haw River), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Tropical Depression Chantal$1.3M to the Town of Haw River for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$53K to the Town of Haw River for repairs
- 2003Ice Storm$11K to the Town of Haw River for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$5K to the Town of Haw River for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$942 to the Town of Haw River 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 Haw River after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Haw River archive →Haw River and its neighbors
Haw River has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. 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 |
| Green Level | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| 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 Haw River 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 Haw River
Is Haw River at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Haw River has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. 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 Haw River flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Haw River since 1996, $225K in all, or 2.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2025 July TS Chantal (2).
Is Haw River 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 Haw River?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Haw River’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 Haw River?
By FEMA money that reached Haw River, Tropical Depression Chantal (2025): $1.3M to the Town of Haw River for repairs. By flood claims, 2025 July TS Chantal: 2 paid, $165K.
Is Haw River at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Haw River’s rate for it is lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Haw River.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Haw River’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.