Photo: Julie Crowell · CC BY 1.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Maiden than in 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Maiden gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #46 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2003.
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 Maiden 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
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 Maiden’s grade
River and rain flooding is 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Maiden, and Maiden’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 5%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #46 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Maiden’s residents live in 3 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, Maiden has less expected damage per building than 84% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $978K a year in losses across Maiden: $757K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Maiden flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Maiden, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Maiden isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Catawba County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Maiden
Disasters that paid out in Maiden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Maiden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene293 households applied for aid$299K aid approved
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides$105K to the Town of Maiden for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$104K to the Town of Maiden for repairs
Catawba County has had 17 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 Maiden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Maiden archive →Get ready for what Maiden 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.
- 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 Maiden
Is Maiden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Maiden has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #46 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (76%) and tornadoes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Maiden flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Maiden since 2003, $2K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Maiden 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 Catawba County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Maiden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Maiden’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 Maiden?
By FEMA money that reached Maiden, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 293 households applied for aid, $299K approved.
Is Maiden at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Maiden’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Maiden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Maiden’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.