Enter any address in Montgomery County, North Carolina to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events dominates the flood character of Montgomery County. Over the past 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 34 flash flood events, significantly more than other flood types. For example, heavy rain associated with tropical moisture led to flash flooding in September 2021 and again in November 2020 following Tropical Storm Eta.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced flooding with an average water depth of -2.5 feet and an average payout of $20,423. Properties in Zone X have also filed claims, with an average payout of $11,777 and an average water depth of 0.5 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, and those located near waterways, should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
12 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Montgomery County, North Carolina has recorded 49 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 34 flash floods and 7 river or area floods. The county has received 24 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1977–2026)
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 Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 5, 2024 |
| Hurricane Ian | Hurricane | Sep 28, 2022 |
| Hurricane Isaias | Hurricane | Jul 31, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Dorian | Hurricane | Sep 1, 2019 |
| Tropical Storm Michael | Hurricane | Oct 10, 2018 |
| Hurricane Florence | Hurricane | Sep 7, 2018 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Storm | Sep 30, 2022 | 0.75M |
| Flash Flood | Sep 22, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Nov 12, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flood | Sep 17, 2018 | 617.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 15, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 15, 2018 | 0.50M |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 11, 2018 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 8, 2016 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 2, 2016 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 30, 2015 | 0.00K |
Tropical Storm — Sep 30, 2022
Hurricane Ian made landfall along the South Carolina coast near Georgetown during the early afternoon hours of September 30, 2022. Widespread wind gusts over tropical storm force and heavy rainfall occurred across much of central North Carolina through the afternoon and evening hours. There were numerous reports of wind damage and power outages as a result of the storm.
Flash Flood — Sep 22, 2021
Several clusters of showers and thunderstorms moved across the western Piedmont and western Sandhills as a plume of tropical moisture advected into the area from the south in advance of a strong cold front. This resulted in multiple reported of flash flooding from heavy rain across portions of the southern Piedmont and western Sandhills, along with a severe wind gust in Chatham County.
Flash Flood — Nov 12, 2020
Moisture from Tropical Storm Eta was drawn northward into the Mid Atlantic during the day of Wednesday November 11th. Meanwhile, a slow moving cold front approached the area and made its way through central North Carolina during the day Thursday, resulting in widespread showers and isolated thunderstorms. Rainfall totals were generally in the 4 to 6 inches range, although some spots near Rocky ...
Flood — Sep 17, 2018
A ridge of high pressure over eastern North America stalled Florence's forward motion a few miles off the southeast North Carolina coast on September 13th. Hurricane Florence made landfall near Wrightsville Beach early on Saturday September 15, and weakened further as it moved slowly inland. Despite making landfall as a weakened|Category 1 hurricane, Florence still produced 40 to 70 mph wind g...
Flash Flood — Sep 15, 2018
A ridge of high pressure over eastern North America stalled Florence's forward motion a few miles off the southeast North Carolina coast on September 13th. Hurricane Florence made landfall near Wrightsville Beach early on Saturday September 15, and weakened further as it moved slowly inland. Despite making landfall as a weakened|Category 1 hurricane, Florence still produced 40 to 70 mph wind g...
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 Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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.