Photo: Ron Reiring · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Morganton as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Morganton gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #141 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%). Flood insurance has paid 50 claims here since 1993.
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 Morganton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Morganton 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 Morganton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 80% of the building damage FEMA expects in Morganton, and Morganton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 4%, at a rate in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #141 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Morganton’s residents live in 11 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, Morganton has less expected damage per building than 52% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Morganton: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Morganton flood? Sometimes: 50 flood claims since 1993
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Morganton, from FEMA’s records: 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene28 claims · $5.6M
- Tropical Storm Ivan1 claim · $4K
Morganton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Burke County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Morganton
Disasters that paid out in Morganton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Morganton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene9,841 households applied for aid$13.0M aid approved$13.3M to the City of Morganton for repairs28 flood claims paid for it, $5.6M
- 2020Tropical Storm Eta$104K to the City of Morganton for repairs
- 2013Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides$59K to the City of Morganton for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$27K to the City of Morganton for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan38 households applied for aid$31K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances120 households applied for aid$260K aid approved$212K to the City of Morganton for repairs
Show all 7
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$70K to the City of Morganton for repairs
Burke 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Burke County, 2016–2016.
Old photos of Morganton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Morganton archive →Morganton and its neighbors
Morganton is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salem | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Glen Alpine | Bless damage than 56% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Morganton | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 50 |
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 Morganton 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 Morganton
Is Morganton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Morganton has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #141 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (80%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Morganton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 50 claims in Morganton since 1993, $6.9M in all, or 6.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 66% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (28).
Is Morganton 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 Burke County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Morganton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Morganton’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 Morganton?
By FEMA money that reached Morganton, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 9,841 households applied for aid, $13.0M approved, and $13.3M to the City of Morganton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 28 paid, $5.6M.
Is Morganton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (80%), and Morganton’s rate for it is higher than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Morganton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Morganton’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.