Brandon · Public domainStorms, floods and disasters in Claremont
Claremont isn’t graded for hazard risk: Claremont has 393 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 34 claims here since 1985.
What Claremont 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
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.
Does Claremont flood? Sometimes: 34 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Claremont, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Isabel17 claims · $995K
- The November 2009 nor’easter4 claims · $108K
- Tropical Storm Ernesto4 claims · $50K
Claremont isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Surry County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Claremont
Disasters that paid out in Claremont itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Claremont), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene$8K to the Town of Claremont for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'east$4K to the Town of Claremont for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel131 households applied for aid$311K aid approved$30K to the Town of Claremont for repairs17 flood claims paid for it, $995K
Surry County has had 16 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 Claremont after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Claremont archive →Get ready for what Claremont 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.
- 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 Claremont
Does Claremont flood?
Flood insurance has paid 34 claims in Claremont since 1985, $1.3M in all. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (17).
Is Claremont 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 Surry County, 35% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Claremont?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Claremont’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 Claremont?
By FEMA money that reached Claremont, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 131 households applied for aid, $311K approved, and $30K to the Town of Claremont for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 17 paid, $995K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Claremont.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Claremont’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.