Randle House · Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Norwood faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norwood gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #105 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims 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 Norwood 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
Hurricanes
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 Norwood’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Norwood, and Norwood’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
B #105 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Norwood’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, Norwood has less expected damage per building than 64% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $793K a year in losses across Norwood: $599K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Norwood flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Norwood, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence1 claim · $19K
Norwood isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Stanly County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Norwood
Disasters that paid out in Norwood itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Norwood), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene23 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$9K to the Town of Norwood for repairs
Stanly 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 Norwood after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Norwood archive →Get ready for what Norwood 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.
- 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.
- 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 Norwood
Is Norwood at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Norwood has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #105 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Norwood flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Norwood since 2003, $26K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (1).
Is Norwood 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 Stanly County, 31% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Norwood?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Norwood’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 Norwood?
By FEMA money that reached Norwood, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 23 households applied for aid, $33K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 1 paid, $19K.
Is Norwood at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Norwood’s rate for it is higher than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Norwood.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Norwood’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.