Thomas and Lois Wheless House · Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Louisburg than in 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Louisburg gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #53 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1979.
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 Louisburg’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Louisburg 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 Louisburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Louisburg, and Louisburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 71% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #53 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Louisburg’s residents live in 2 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, Louisburg has less expected damage per building than 82% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Louisburg: $713K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Louisburg flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Louisburg, from FEMA’s records: 9.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd4 claims · $79K
Louisburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Franklin County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Louisburg
Disasters that paid out in Louisburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Louisburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Hurricane Matthew1 households applied for aid$15K to the Town of Louisburg for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel59 households applied for aid$64K aid approved$32K to the Town of Louisburg for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$109K to the Town of Louisburg for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$4K to the Town of Louisburg for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$37K to the Town of Louisburg for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $79K
Franklin County has had 19 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 Louisburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Louisburg archive →Get ready for what Louisburg 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Louisburg
Is Louisburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Louisburg has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #53 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (73%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Louisburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Louisburg since 1979, $118K in all, or 9.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 73% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (4).
Is Louisburg 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 Franklin County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Louisburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Louisburg’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 Louisburg?
By FEMA money that reached Louisburg, Severe Ice Storm (2002): $109K to the Town of Louisburg for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 4 paid, $79K.
Is Louisburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Louisburg’s rate for it is lower than 57% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Louisburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Louisburg’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.