Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Lexington than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lexington gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #69 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1999.
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 stands out about Lexington’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Lexington 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
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 Lexington’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Lexington, and Lexington’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #69 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Lexington’s residents live in 10 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, Lexington has less expected damage per building than 76% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.8M a year in losses across Lexington: $5.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Lexington flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Lexington, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel2 claims · $38K
Lexington is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Davidson County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Lexington
Disasters that paid out in Lexington itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Lexington), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene16 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2018Tropical Storm Michael$197K to the City of Lexington for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence$131K to the City of Lexington for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$717K to the City of Lexington for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel51 households applied for aid$105K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $38K
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$1.0M to the City of Lexington for repairs
Show all 7
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$21K to the City of Lexington for repairs
Davidson County has had 25 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 Lexington after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Lexington archive →Get ready for what Lexington 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.
- 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.
- Lexington residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Lexington
Is Lexington at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Lexington has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #69 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Lexington flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Lexington since 1999, $56K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (2).
Is Lexington 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 Davidson County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Lexington?
Lexington is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Lexington?
By FEMA money that reached Lexington, Severe Ice Storm (2002): $1.0M to the City of Lexington for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 2 paid, $38K.
Is Lexington at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Lexington’s rate for it is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Lexington.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Lexington’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.