Enter any address in Graham County, North Carolina to see its FEMA flood zone
2 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Graham County, North Carolina has recorded 12 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 6 flash floods and 5 river or area floods. The county has received 17 federal disaster declarations, 1 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1974–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 21, 2026 |
| Hurricane Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 25, 2024 |
| Tropical Storm Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 25, 2024 |
| Hurricane Ian | Hurricane | Sep 28, 2022 |
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Fred | Hurricane | Aug 16, 2021 |
| Hurricane Isaias | Hurricane | Jul 31, 2020 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 6, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Dorian | Hurricane | Sep 1, 2019 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm | Oct 29, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jan 7, 2009 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Nov 24, 2004 | — |
| Flood | Sep 16, 2004 | 20K |
| Flash Flood | Feb 22, 2003 | — |
| Flood | May 7, 2003 | — |
| Flash Flood | May 7, 2003 | 250K |
| Flash Flood | May 6, 2003 | 100K |
| Flood | May 5, 2003 | — |
| Flood | Jul 1, 2003 | — |
Tropical Storm — Oct 29, 2020
Tropical moisture and heavy rain overspread western North Carolina throughout the 28th through the morning of the 29th as the center of Tropical Storm Zeta moved quickly from the mouth of the Mississippi River into the southern Appalachians. Strong winds developed across portions of western North Carolina during the morning, downing hundreds of trees across the area. Multiple trees fell on stru...
Flash Flood — Jan 7, 2009
Heavy rain caused flash flooding in a small part of the North Carolina Mountains.
Flood — Sep 16, 2004
In response to persistent moderate to heavy rainfall associated with the remnants of Hurricane Ivan, severe flooding developed across the mountains for the second time in 9 days. Flooding first developed across the southwest mountains, when several small streams and creeks overflowed their banks, including Toot Hollow Creek near Bryson City. Several rescues were required during the evening in M...
Flood — May 7, 2003
Although flash flooding abated by noon across the southern mountains, many creeks and streams remained above flood stage through the afternoon hours.
Flash Flood — Sep 24, 1997
Heavy rain and some embedded thunderstorms occurred during the morning and continued into the afternoon in advance of a strong low pressure system. Rainfall amounts between 3 and 5 inches in the Smoky Mountain region caused some streams to flood as well as a few roads and private bridges to be washed out near Robbinsville and in the Cherokee Indian Reservation. A sewer system flooded in Robbins...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Graham County, North Carolina:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Graham County, North Carolina that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.