John H. Adams House · Photo: Lorenzo S. Winslow · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, High Point 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, High Point gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #117 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 72 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 High Point 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 High Point’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in High Point, and High Point’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
B #117 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
High Point’s residents live in 35 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, High Point has less expected damage per building than 60% of North Carolina towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, High Point has lower expected damage per building than 68% (#127 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $30.6M, is the 354th largest of those 400.
Does High Point flood? Sometimes: 72 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in High Point, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025 July TS Chantal7 claims · $441K
- Hurricane Fran4 claims · $43K
- Hurricane Michael2 claims · $30K
High Point isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Guilford County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to High Point
Disasters that paid out in High Point itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of High Point), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene15 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2018Hurricane Florence89 households applied for aid$20K aid approved$1.6M to the City of High Point for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $37K
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$2.9M to the City of High Point for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan10 households applied for aid$2K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $388
- 2003Ice Storm$202K to the City of High Point for repairs17 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$958K to the City of High Point for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$64K to the City of High Point for repairs
Guilford County has had 24 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 High Point after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the High Point archive →High Point and its neighbors
High Point is 3rd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomasville | Bless damage than 62% | river and rain flooding | 18 |
| Greensboro | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 363 |
| High Point | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 72 |
| Archdale | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 17 |
| Jamestown | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | — |
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 High Point 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 High Point
Is High Point at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, High Point has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #117 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does High Point flood?
Flood insurance has paid 72 claims in High Point since 1979, $818K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 8 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2025 July TS Chantal (7).
Is High Point 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 Guilford County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in High Point?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for High Point’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 High Point?
By FEMA money that reached High Point, Severe Winter Storm (2014): $2.9M to the City of High Point for repairs. By flood claims, 2025 July TS Chantal: 7 paid, $441K.
Is High Point at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and High Point’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in High Point.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where High Point’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.