Avery County, NC Environment & Hazard Risk

• LandslideRelatively Moderate$205K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
• LightningRelatively Moderate$408K/yr expected annual loss, about 53 events a year
• Ice stormRelatively Moderate$188K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
• Cold waveRelatively Low$1.2M/yr expected annual loss, about 5.0 events a year
• HurricaneRelatively Low$180K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 35 years
• EarthquakeVery Low$224K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 633 years
• Strong windRelatively Low$309K/yr expected annual loss, about 2.8 events a year
• TornadoRelatively Low$601K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 14 years
• WildfireVery Low$13.9K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 825 years
• Winter weatherRelatively Low$24K/yr expected annual loss, about 26 events a year
• HailVery Low$80.4K/yr expected annual loss, about 4.0 events a year

Bars show the national percentile score (0 to 100) for each hazard. Dollar figures are expected annual losses to buildings, people and crops. Not rated here: avalanche, coastal flooding, drought, heat wave, riverine flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity.

Check the flood zone for an address

Homes with flood insurance

274 of 16,068 (1.7%)

Homes in high-risk flood zones

444

Insured in high-risk zones

148 (33%)

Flood claims since 1978

288

Claims paid since 1978

$15.2M

• Winter Weather237
• Heavy Snow125
• Hail54
• Thunderstorm Wind49
• High Wind43
• Drought35
• Flash Flood31 · 6 deaths
• Cold/Wind Chill22 · 1 death
• Winter Storm20
• Ice Storm11

• Flash Flood09/27/2024

  Avery Co Arpt, Avery County

  6 deaths, $40M damage

  What happened

  A stream gauge on the North Toe River in Newland indicated devastating flash flooding developed along the stream in Newland and vicinity as rainfall rates intensified during the evening of the 26th. The heaviest rainfall and most significant flooding occurred toward sunrise, as tropical rainbands near the center of Helene swept across the area. Numerous homes and businesses in downtown Newland were inundated and damaged, with several structures swept away. Other areas of flash flooding developed along the Linville River and various tributaries throughout the southern and eastern part of the county. Dozens of landslides occurred across the area, mainly in the North Toe basin. Some of the large slides damaged or destroyed multiple structures. Three occupants of these homes were killed. Two additional fatalities were attributed to flooding. Three-day rainfall generally ranged from 10-15 inches, with locally higher amounts.

• Ice Storm02/02/1996

  Avery

  $50M damage

  What happened

  By the early morning hours damaging accumulations of ice were becoming widespread. Northern mountain counties reported freezing rain and sleet accrual of 1 to 3 inches on roads with damage becoming common. Significant icing began in foothill counties. The icing situation eased a bit during the day in a few areas before becoming worse toward evening. In many areas the severe icing did not abate until the storm ended during the late night. By 1500 EST, many major population centers such as Hickory and Statesville were reporting 50 percent power outages. The storm became the "worst ice storm ever" in local power company reocrds. By late night most customers had lost power. Many customers did not have power restored for up to a week during extremely cold weather. Around 1800 EST the freezing rain began to change over to sleet and then snow as drier and colder air surged in. Some thunder was reported. This left a very slick and dangerous surface on top of the massive accumulations of ice. Emergency crews were not able to respond quickly to stranded motorist and those without power. Numerous shelters were opened and some counties declared official emergency conditions.

• Flood09/17/2004

  Avery

  $11M damage

  What happened

  Flooding began shortly after midnight across much of the northern mountains and northern foothills. The hardest hit locations were northern McDowell, Mitchell and Avery Counties, where flooding was at least as severe as that which accompanied Frances. Most of the streams in Mitchell County flooded. Property damage due to mudslides and flooding was extensive in Avery County, and there were numerous rescues and evacuations, particularly around Newland. Numerous roads were washed out, covered with water, or covered with debris from landslides. All roads into Banner Elk were impassable by sunrise on the 17th. Other roads affected included portions of highways 226, 221, and 19. A bridge was washed out on highway 194 in Avery County. Flooding was much less severe in Burke and Caldwell Counties, although some evacuations were required along the John's River in Caldwell County, and portions of highways 181 and 126 were closed briefly in Burke County.

• Flood09/08/2004

  Avery

  $10M damage

  What happened

  Persistent moderate to heavy rain led to widespread flooding along numerous creeks and streams across the northern foothills and northern mountains during the early evening. By early morning on the 8th, flooding was described as some of the worst in the history of the area. Numerous homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed, particularly in Avery County. One home in Burke County was swept down the Little River. Widespread damage and destruction to roads and bridges also occurred due to flooding or landslides, especially in the southern part of Mitchell County, which experienced severe flooding from Crabtree Creek and the Toe River. Large sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway were washed out. Total damage to the parkway was estimated to be in excess of 10 million dollars in western North Carolina, with the vast majority of that damage occurring between Asheville and Blowing Rock.

• Cold/Wind Chill02/12/1996

  Avery

  1 death

  What happened

  An elderly woman fell outside her home and then died from hypothermia.

• Tropical Storm09/27/2024

  Avery

  $9M damage

  What happened

  Tens of thousands of trees were blown down, with hundreds of trees down on homes, vehicles, and power lines. Frequent gusts up to 80 mph occurred, with occasional gusts of 100 mph on exposed high elevation ridgetops.

• Sugar Mountain UtilityServes 3,226 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations
• Linville Land HarborServes 2,280 · Groundwater · Private1 health violation+1 monitoring or reporting
• Banner Elk, Town ofServes 1,164 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+2 monitoring or reporting
• Newland, Town ofServes 999 · Groundwater · Local government1 health violation+3 monitoring or reporting
• Elk River Club DevelopmentServes 732 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations
• Linville RidgeServes 710 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• Linville Resorts INCServes 499 · Groundwater · Private1 health violation+1 monitoring or reporting
• Elk Park, Town ofServes 495 · Groundwater · Local governmentNo health violations+2 monitoring or reporting