Central School Historic District · Photo: Upstateherd · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Kings Mountain faces less hazard damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kings Mountain gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns, #26 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%), then tornadoes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1991.
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 Kings Mountain 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
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
Ice storms
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 Kings Mountain’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kings Mountain, and Kings Mountain’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 6%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #26 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kings Mountain’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, Kings Mountain has less expected damage per building than 91% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Kings Mountain: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kings Mountain flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1991
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kings Mountain, 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.
Kings Mountain isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cleveland County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kings Mountain
Disasters that paid out in Kings Mountain itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kings Mountain), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene3,362 households applied for aid$1.8M aid approved$1.5M to the City of Kings Mountain for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$192K to the City of Kings Mountain for repairs
Cleveland County has had 16 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 Kings Mountain after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kings Mountain archive →Kings Mountain and its neighbors
Kings Mountain 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kings Mountain | A−less damage than 79% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Gastonia | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
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 Kings Mountain 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Kings Mountain
Is Kings Mountain at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kings Mountain has lower expected damage per building than 79% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #26 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and tornadoes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kings Mountain flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Kings Mountain since 1991, $12K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 87% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Kings Mountain 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 Cleveland County, 23% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kings Mountain?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kings Mountain’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 Kings Mountain?
By FEMA money that reached Kings Mountain, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 3,362 households applied for aid, $1.8M approved, and $1.5M to the City of Kings Mountain for repairs.
Is Kings Mountain at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Kings Mountain’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kings Mountain.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kings Mountain’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.