Mill Farm Inn · Photo: Bigskybill · CC BY-SA 3.0For ice storms, Tryon’s building-damage rate is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tryon gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 2014.
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 Tryon’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Tryon 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
Ice storms
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 Tryon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tryon, and Tryon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 9%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
B− higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tryon’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $711K a year in losses across Tryon: $514K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tryon flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tryon, from FEMA’s records: 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene4 claims · $295K
Tryon isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Polk County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tryon
Disasters that paid out in Tryon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Tryon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene1,191 households applied for aid$2.1M aid approved$1.4M to the Town of Tryon for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $295K
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances4 households applied for aid$10K to the Town of Tryon for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$5K to the Town of Tryon for repairs
Polk County has had 17 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Polk County, 2025–2025.
Old photos of Tryon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tryon archive →Get ready for what Tryon 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.
- Ice brings down trees and lines: plan for days without power.
- Run a generator outside, far from doors and windows.
- Keep sand or salt by the door.
- 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 Tryon
Is Tryon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tryon has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and ice storms (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tryon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Tryon since 2014, $337K in all, or 5.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (4).
Is Tryon 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 Polk County, 39% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tryon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tryon’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 Tryon?
By FEMA money that reached Tryon, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 1,191 households applied for aid, $2.1M approved, and $1.4M to the Town of Tryon for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 4 paid, $295K.
Is Tryon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Tryon’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tryon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tryon’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.