Photo: Beckycafferylepage · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Monroe as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monroe gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns, #167 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1998.
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 Monroe 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
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 Monroe’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Monroe, and Monroe’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #167 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Monroe’s residents live in 12 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, Monroe has more expected damage per building than 57% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $13.2M a year in losses across Monroe: $9.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Monroe flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Monroe, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence2 claims · $17K
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $3K
Monroe isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Union County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Monroe
Disasters that paid out in Monroe itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Monroe), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene332 households applied for aid$357K aid approved
- 2018Hurricane Florence91 households applied for aid$95K aid approved$786K to the City of Monroe for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $17K
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances2 households applied for aid$20K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$1.3M to the City of Monroe for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$3K to the City of Monroe for repairs
Union County has had 16 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 Monroe after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Monroe archive →Monroe and its neighbors
Monroe has the lowest expected damage per building of the 4 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe | C+more damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Indian Trail | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Unionville | Cmore damage than 71% | river and rain flooding | 6 |
| Wesley Chapel | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Monroe 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.
- 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 Monroe
Is Monroe at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Monroe has higher expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #167 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Monroe flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Monroe since 1998, $32K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (2).
Is Monroe 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 Union County, 59% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Monroe?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Monroe’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 Monroe?
By FEMA money that reached Monroe, Severe Winter Storm (2000): $1.3M to the City of Monroe for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 2 paid, $17K.
Is Monroe at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Monroe’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Monroe.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Monroe’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.