Singletary-Reese-Robinson House · Photo: Upstateherd · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Laurel Park faces less hazard damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laurel Park gets an A for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 2009.
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 Laurel Park 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
Ice storms
Earthquakes
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 Laurel Park’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Laurel Park, and Laurel Park’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 7%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
A lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Laurel Park’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $695K a year in losses across Laurel Park: $424K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Laurel Park flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Laurel Park, from FEMA’s records: 6.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene3 claims · $22K
Laurel Park isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Henderson County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Laurel Park
Disasters that paid out in Laurel Park itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Laurel Park), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene58 households applied for aid$103K aid approved$3.6M to the Town of Laurel Park for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $22K
- 2004Hurricane Ivan3 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$136K to the Town of Laurel Park for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances1 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$825 to the Town of Laurel Park for repairs
Henderson County has had 13 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Henderson County, 2016–2016.
Old photos of Laurel Park after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Laurel Park archive →Laurel Park and its neighbors
Laurel Park has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laurel Park | Aless damage than 90% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Hendersonville | A−less damage than 84% | river and rain flooding | 213 |
| Valley Hill | A−less damage than 76% | 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 Laurel Park 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Laurel Park
Is Laurel Park at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laurel Park has lower expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: A for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Laurel Park flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Laurel Park since 2009, $41K in all, or 6.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (3).
Is Laurel Park 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 Henderson County, 44% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Laurel Park?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Laurel Park’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 Laurel Park?
By FEMA money that reached Laurel Park, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 58 households applied for aid, $103K approved, and $3.6M to the Town of Laurel Park for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 3 paid, $22K.
Is Laurel Park at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Laurel Park’s rate for it is lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Laurel Park.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Laurel Park’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.