Orange County, NC Environment & Hazard Risk

• Winter weatherRelatively High$373K/yr expected annual loss, about 7.4 events a year
• LightningRelatively High$1.2M/yr expected annual loss, about 47 events a year
• Heat waveRelatively Moderate$2.4M/yr expected annual loss, about 4.8 events a year
• HurricaneRelatively Moderate$3M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 9 years
• TornadoRelatively Moderate$5.2M/yr expected annual loss, about once every 7 years
• HailRelatively Moderate$906K/yr expected annual loss, about 4.4 events a year
• Strong windRelatively Moderate$1.4M/yr expected annual loss, about 1.6 events a year
• Ice stormRelatively Moderate$331K/yr expected annual loss, about 1.8 events a year
• EarthquakeRelatively Low$744K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 847 years
• DroughtRelatively Low$249K/yr expected annual loss, about 15 events a year
• LandslideVery Low$911/yr expected annual loss, about once every 6 years
• Cold waveRelatively Low$691K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 1 year
• WildfireVery Low$15.9K/yr expected annual loss, about once every 9,781 years

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, riverine flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity.

Check the flood zone for an address

Homes with flood insurance

621 of 42,431 (1.5%)

Homes in high-risk flood zones

409

Insured in high-risk zones

205 (50%)

Flood claims since 1978

568

Claims paid since 1978

$36.4M

• Thunderstorm Wind254 · 2 deaths
• Flash Flood76 · 1 death
• Hail56
• Winter Weather38
• Winter Storm34
• Strong Wind15
• Lightning10 · 2 deaths
• Tornado8
• Excessive Heat7
• High Wind4

• Flood09/17/2018

  Teer, Orange County

  $31.4M damage

  What happened

  Torrential rainfall of 6 to 10 inches caused widespread flooding across the county, which caused flooding along the Eno River and other creeks and streams throughout the county. Additionally, water held in Jordan Lake from rainfall in its headwaters resulted in flooding along the lake into far southeast portions of the county. Flooding damaged approximately 276 structures throughout the county, destroying 1 and resulting in $26.4 million in property damage. Numerous roads were closed due to flooding. Numerous homes and businesses were flooded as well. While final losses on crops are not yet tallied, estimates around $5 million or more are possible.

• Flash Flood07/07/2025

  Chapel Hill Wllms Ar, Orange County

  $30M damage

  What happened

  There were numerous reports of stranded/submerged vehicles, washed out roadways, apartments and residential homes flooded, and law enforcement performed multiple water rescues, including one at Camelot Village. Total estimated damages may have exceeded 30 million across Orange County.

• Thunderstorm Wind50 kt wind06/28/2020

  Chapel Hill Wllms Ar, Orange County

  1 death, $50K damage

  What happened

  One tree fell on a mobile home in the 1200 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard, resulting in a fatality.

• Flash Flood07/07/2025

  Mc Dade, Orange County

  1 death, $20K damage

  What happened

  The vehicle of a 58 year old female on her way to work was submerged in flood waters. The victim was swept away upon trying to exit the vehicle.

• Thunderstorm Wind61 kt wind06/13/2013

  Chapel Hill, Orange County

  1 death, $3,000 damage

  What happened

  A large tree was blown down on the 300 Block of East Franklin Street killing a 20 year old female.

• Lightning06/11/2006

  Hillsborough, Orange County

  1 death

  What happened

  Tree fell on Interstate 85 near mile marker 168 when lightning struck a tree. One fatality when a motorcyclist struck the down tree.

• Orange Water & Sewer AuthorityServes 86,500 · Surface water · Local governmentNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• Hillsborough, Town ofServes 14,006 · Surface water · Local governmentNo health violations
• Orange-Alamance Water SystemServes 9,223 · Surface water · Private4 health violations+49 monitoring or reporting
• Stoneridge MasterServes 681 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations+5 monitoring or reporting
• Ridgewood MhpServes 330 · Groundwater · Private1 health violation+61 monitoring or reporting
• Birchwood MhpServes 312 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations+4 monitoring or reporting
• Robin`s WoodServes 246 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations+1 monitoring or reporting
• Maple Ridge MhpServes 216 · Groundwater · PrivateNo health violations+3 monitoring or reporting