Albertus Ledbetter House · Photo: rossograph · CC BY-SA 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Old Fort
Old Fort isn’t graded for hazard risk: Old Fort has 555 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 17 claims here since 2003.
What Old Fort 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
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.
Does Old Fort flood? Sometimes: 17 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Old Fort, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Helene13 claims · $2.9M
Old Fort isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McDowell County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Old Fort
Disasters that paid out in Old Fort itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Old Fort), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene2,168 households applied for aid$8.8M aid approved$8.4M to the Town of Old Fort for repairs13 flood claims paid for it, $2.9M
- 2018Hurricane Florence$92K to the Town of Old Fort for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2009Severe Winter Storms and Flooding$5K to the Town of Old Fort for repairs
- 2004Hurricane Ivan23 households applied for aid$34K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances35 households applied for aid$79K aid approved$124K to the Town of Old Fort for repairs
McDowell 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 Old Fort after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Old Fort archive →Get ready for what Old Fort 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.
- 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 Old Fort
Does Old Fort flood?
Flood insurance has paid 17 claims in Old Fort since 2003, $3.1M in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (13).
Is Old Fort 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 McDowell County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Old Fort?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Old Fort’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 Old Fort?
By FEMA money that reached Old Fort, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 2,168 households applied for aid, $8.8M approved, and $8.4M to the Town of Old Fort for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 13 paid, $2.9M.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Old Fort.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Old Fort’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.