Photo: Nyttend · Public domainLess hazard damage per building is expected in Roxboro than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roxboro gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #16 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Roxboro 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
Hurricanes
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 Roxboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Roxboro, and Roxboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 7% (higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #16 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Roxboro’s residents live in 6 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, Roxboro has less expected damage per building than 95% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Roxboro: $1.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Roxboro flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Roxboro, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene1 claim · $10K
- Hurricane Fran1 claim · $22K
Roxboro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Person County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Roxboro
Disasters that paid out in Roxboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Roxboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Tropical Depression Chantal$3.7M to the City of Roxboro for repairs
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$38K to the City of Roxboro for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel11 households applied for aid$584 aid approved$11K to the City of Roxboro for repairs
- 2003Ice Storm$118K to the City of Roxboro for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$8K to the City of Roxboro for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$15K to the City of Roxboro for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$5K to the City of Roxboro for repairs
Person County has had 23 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 Roxboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Roxboro archive →Get ready for what Roxboro 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.
- 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.
- 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 Roxboro
Is Roxboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roxboro has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #16 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and tornadoes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Roxboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Roxboro since 1996, $34K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (1).
Is Roxboro 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 Person County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Roxboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Roxboro’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 Roxboro?
By FEMA money that reached Roxboro, Tropical Depression Chantal (2025): $3.7M to the City of Roxboro for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 1 paid, $10K.
Is Roxboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Roxboro’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Roxboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Roxboro’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.