LaGrange Historic District · Photo: Tradewinds · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts La Grange’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 76% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Grange gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #217 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (48%), then river and rain flooding (40%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2016.
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 La Grange faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 La Grange’s grade
Hurricanes are 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in La Grange, and La Grange’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 40% (lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #217 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of La Grange’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical North Carolina town has lower expected damage than 51% of U.S. towns; within the state, La Grange has more expected damage per building than 75% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across La Grange: $960K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does La Grange flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in La Grange, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence1 claim · $27K
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $13K
La Grange isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Lenoir County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to La Grange
Disasters that paid out in La Grange itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of La Grange), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence265 households applied for aid$111K aid approved$133K to the Town of La Grange for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $27K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew521 households applied for aid$665K aid approved$122K to the Town of La Grange for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $13K
- 2011Hurricane Irene203 households applied for aid$137K aid approved$74K to the Town of La Grange for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel70 households applied for aid$59K aid approved$87K to the Town of La Grange for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$375K to the Town of La Grange for repairs
Lenoir County has had 21 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 La Grange after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the La Grange archive →Get ready for what La Grange faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 La Grange
Is La Grange at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, La Grange has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #217 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (48%) and river and rain flooding (40%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does La Grange flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in La Grange since 2016, $40K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (1).
Is La Grange 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 Lenoir County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in La Grange?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for La Grange’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 La Grange?
By FEMA money that reached La Grange, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 521 households applied for aid, $665K approved, and $122K to the Town of La Grange for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 1 paid, $27K.
Is La Grange at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and La Grange’s rate for it is in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in La Grange.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where La Grange’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.