US Post Office · Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Wadesboro than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wadesboro gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns, #10 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then tornadoes (16%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2010.
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 Wadesboro 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
Hurricanes
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 Wadesboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wadesboro, and Wadesboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #10 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wadesboro’s residents live in 3 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, Wadesboro has less expected damage per building than 97% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Wadesboro: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wadesboro flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2010
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wadesboro, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Wadesboro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Anson County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wadesboro
Disasters that paid out in Wadesboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wadesboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene13 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2018Hurricane Florence205 households applied for aid$36K aid approved$28K to the Town of Wadesboro for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew54 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$12K to the Town of Wadesboro for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$6K to the Town of Wadesboro for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$908K to the Town of Wadesboro for repairs
Anson County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Wadesboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wadesboro archive →Get ready for what Wadesboro 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.
- 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.
- 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 Wadesboro
Is Wadesboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wadesboro has lower expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #10 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and tornadoes (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wadesboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Wadesboro since 2010, $7K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Wadesboro 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 Anson County, 3% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wadesboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wadesboro’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 Wadesboro?
By FEMA money that reached Wadesboro, Severe Winter Storm (2000): $908K to the Town of Wadesboro for repairs.
Is Wadesboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Wadesboro’s rate for it is lower than 81% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wadesboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wadesboro’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.