Photo: Harrison Keely · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Murphy as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Murphy gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1982.
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 Murphy 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 Murphy’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Murphy, and Murphy’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 75% of U.S. census tracts).
B− lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Murphy’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $829K a year in losses across Murphy: $675K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Murphy flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Murphy, from FEMA’s records: 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Murphy isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cherokee County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Murphy
Disasters that paid out in Murphy itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Murphy), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene65 households applied for aid$112K aid approved
Cherokee County has had 12 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 Murphy after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Murphy archive →Get ready for what Murphy 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 Murphy
Is Murphy at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Murphy has lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Murphy flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Murphy since 1982, $25K in all, or 4.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Murphy 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 Cherokee County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Murphy?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Murphy’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 Murphy?
By FEMA money that reached Murphy, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 65 households applied for aid, $112K approved.
Is Murphy at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Murphy’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Murphy.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Murphy’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.