Gov. David S. Reid House · Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Reidsville than in 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Reidsville gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #25 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1996.
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 Reidsville 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 Reidsville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Reidsville, and Reidsville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #25 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Reidsville’s residents live in 9 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, Reidsville has less expected damage per building than 92% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.4M a year in losses across Reidsville: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Reidsville flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Reidsville, from FEMA’s records: 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran1 claim · $4K
Reidsville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Rockingham County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Reidsville
Disasters that paid out in Reidsville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Reidsville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Tropical Storm Michael$166K to the City of Reidsville for repairs
- 2018Tornado and Severe Storms63 households applied for aid$78K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2003Ice Storm$121K to the City of Reidsville for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$17K to the City of Reidsville for repairs
Rockingham County has had 22 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 Reidsville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Reidsville archive →Get ready for what Reidsville 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 Reidsville
Is Reidsville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Reidsville has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #25 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Reidsville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Reidsville since 1996, $11K in all, or 0.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (1).
Is Reidsville 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 Rockingham County, 8% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Reidsville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Reidsville’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 Reidsville?
By FEMA money that reached Reidsville, Tropical Storm Michael (2018): $166K to the City of Reidsville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Reidsville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Reidsville’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Reidsville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Reidsville’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.