King Historic District · Photo: Ceh2624 · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in King than in 71% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, King gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #50 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2018.
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 King 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 King’s grade
River and rain flooding is 81% of the building damage FEMA expects in King, and King’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #50 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
King’s residents live in 5 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, King has less expected damage per building than 83% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across King: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does King flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in King, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
King isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Stokes County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to King
Disasters that paid out in King itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of King), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Tropical Storm Michael$57K to the City of King for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2004Hurricane Ivan1 households applied for aid$908 aid approved
- 2003Ice Storm$10K to the City of King for repairs
Stokes County has had 22 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 King after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the King archive →King and its neighbors
King has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| King | B+less damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
| Tobaccoville | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
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 King 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 King
Is King at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, King has lower expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #50 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (81%) and hurricanes (5%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does King flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in King since 2018, $63K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is King 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 Stokes County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in King?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for King’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 King?
By FEMA money that reached King, Tropical Storm Michael (2018): $57K to the City of King for repairs.
Is King at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (81%), and King’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in King.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where King’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.