Photo: Travis K. Witt · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Statesville than in 61% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Statesville gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns, #95 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 22 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Statesville’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Statesville 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 Statesville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Statesville, and Statesville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
B #95 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Statesville’s residents live in 17 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, Statesville has less expected damage per building than 67% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $8.1M a year in losses across Statesville: $6.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Statesville flood? Sometimes: 22 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Statesville, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Michael3 claims · $55K
- Hurricane Florence1 claim · $8K
Statesville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Iredell County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Statesville
Disasters that paid out in Statesville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Statesville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene836 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved
- 2020Tropical Storm Eta$210K to the City of Statesville for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances2 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$367K to the City of Statesville for repairs
Iredell County has had 19 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 Statesville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Statesville archive →Statesville and its neighbors
Statesville is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Troutman | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Statesville | Bless damage than 61% | river and rain flooding | 22 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Statesville 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 Statesville
Is Statesville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Statesville has lower expected damage per building than 61% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #95 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and tornadoes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Statesville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 22 claims in Statesville since 1979, $964K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Michael (3).
Is Statesville 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 Iredell County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Statesville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Statesville’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 Statesville?
By FEMA money that reached Statesville, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 836 households applied for aid, $1.3M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Michael: 3 paid, $55K.
Is Statesville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Statesville’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Statesville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Statesville’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.