Photo: Magnolia677 · CC BY 4.0Storms, floods and disasters in Northfork
Northfork isn’t graded for hazard risk: Northfork has 169 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 44 claims here since 1978.
What Northfork 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
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 Northfork flood? Sometimes: 44 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Northfork, from FEMA’s records.
- The Storm2 claims · $5K
Northfork isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: McDowell County.9 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Northfork
Disasters that paid out in Northfork itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Northfork), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides121 households applied for aid$796K aid approved
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds10 households applied for aid$17K to the Town of Northfork for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides37 households applied for aid$30K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides11 households applied for aid$3K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides35 households applied for aid$45K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides20 households applied for aid$41K aid approved
Show all 9
- 2003Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Severe Winter Storm, Record/near Record Snow, Heavy Rains, Flooding and Landslides13 households applied for aid$15K aid approved
- 2002Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides$18K to the Town of Northfork for repairs21 flood claims paid that year
McDowell County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. 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 McDowell County, 2001–2001.
Old photos of Northfork after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Northfork archive →Northfork and its neighbors
How expected damage per building compares across the town line. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keystone | — | 39 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Northfork 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.
- 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 Northfork
Does Northfork flood?
Flood insurance has paid 44 claims in Northfork since 1978, $262K in all. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (2).
Is Northfork 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 McDowell County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Northfork?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Northfork’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 Northfork?
By FEMA money that reached Northfork, Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (2025): 121 households applied for aid, $796K approved. By flood claims, Storm: 2 paid, $5K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Northfork.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Northfork’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.