Fire & Water Energy is a referral service, not a contractor. When you call (866) 937-3230, we'll try to connect you with an independent restoration contractor that works in your part of North Carolina. Whether a provider is available depends on the independent companies serving your address.
This page summarizes the hazards that most often damage homes across the state, how they differ from the coast to the Blue Ridge, and where to find official alerts, insurance guidance and contractor license information.
Hurricanes and tropical rain are the defining hazard
Tropical systems have caused much of North Carolina's worst property damage, and the record shows that rain and flooding, more than wind, did most of the harm. Hurricane Hazel in October 1954 remains the only Category 4 hurricane to make landfall in the state; Oak Island recorded 140 mph sustained winds. Hurricane Fran in 1996 brought storm surge of 8 to 12 feet along with heavy inland flooding.
In 1999, Hurricane Floyd arrived less than two weeks after Hurricane Dennis had already saturated the ground, and the result was widespread flooding and more than 35 deaths. Hurricane Florence in 2018 moved slowly enough to drop more than 30 inches of rain in a swath of the southeast, setting a state tropical-cyclone rainfall record of 35.93 inches near Elizabethtown. Flooding from Florence damaged about 75,000 structures, some of them homes that had been flooded by Hurricane Matthew two years earlier.
Because coastal-plain rivers can keep rising for days after a storm passes, flooding can reach neighborhoods well after the wind has died down. See our guides to hurricane damage cleanup and flood damage restoration.
Helene and the mountain flood risk
Western North Carolina is not protected from tropical rain by distance from the coast. In September 2024, the remnants of Helene produced more than 100 reported deaths in the state, most in the mountains. Mount Mitchell recorded 24.41 inches of rain, and the French Broad River in Asheville crested at 24.67 feet while the Swannanoa River reached 26.1 feet, both above the records set in the 1916 flood.
Landslides closed sections of I-26 and I-40, more than 400 roads were closed in the region, and half of Chimney Rock village was destroyed. The Catawba River flooded Morganton, and water overtopped the Lake Lure dam. The mountains already receive more rain than the state average, and steep slopes push runoff into narrow valleys quickly, so mud, silt and debris often come inside along with the water.
After this kind of flooding, contractors commonly remove saturated drywall, insulation and flooring and then dry the structure before any rebuilding. Our flood cleanup guide explains what that work usually involves.
Restoration help in North Carolina
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened and where in North Carolina.
How damage patterns differ across the state
- Southern and Outer Banks coast (Wilmington, Jacksonville, Morehead City, Kill Devil Hills): storm surge, wind-driven rain through roofs and windows, and flooding along tidal creeks and rivers.
- Inner coastal plain and Sandhills (Greenville, Kinston, Goldsboro, Lumberton, Fayetteville): slow river flooding after tropical rain, sometimes cresting days after a storm.
- Piedmont metros (Charlotte, the Triangle and the Triad): severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, fallen trees through roofs, and occasional snow and ice that can lead to frozen pipes.
- Mountains and foothills (Asheville, Boone, Hendersonville, Morganton): flash flooding, landslides and record river crests, plus the most regular snow in the state.
North Carolina averages 31 tornadoes a year, with May the most active month, and tornadoes have occurred in every month. Summer thunderstorms bring hail and wind damage most years. Boone averages nearly 25 inches of snow a winter, while most of the coast gets less than 2 inches.
Insurance basics for North Carolina homeowners
The North Carolina Department of Insurance notes that homeowners policies do not cover flood damage, and that flood coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program usually carries a 30-day waiting period before it takes effect. It also explains that windstorm and hail coverage may be excluded from some primary policies depending on location, and a separate wind policy would have its own deductible.
For property in the beach and coastal areas, the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association, also known as the Coastal Property Insurance Pool, offers wind coverage to owners whose primary policy excludes windstorm. Coverage depends on your policy; check with your insurer or agent.
Many restoration contractors document damage with photos and moisture readings, which can help when you talk with your adjuster.
Checking a contractor's license
The North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors licenses general contractors in the state. Requirements depend on the type and size of the job, so if your repairs involve rebuilding walls, roofs or structural framing, ask the company for its license number and verify it with the board before you sign. Electrical and plumbing work is licensed separately.
For water and mold work, it is reasonable to ask whether the technicians hold IICRC certification, how the company measures moisture, and how it will document the drying process. A reputable company will usually give you a written scope of work. Read more in our mold remediation guide.
Safety and official alerts
Never drive or walk into floodwater. The National Weather Service warns that 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock over an adult and 12 inches can carry away most cars. Stay out of flooded rooms until power is shut off, leave if you smell gas or see structural damage, and treat water that came from rivers or sewers as contaminated. Call 911 for emergencies.
North Carolina Emergency Management runs ReadyNC for preparedness information, and coastal residents can look up evacuation zones at Know Your Zone. Follow your local National Weather Service office for watches and warnings.
Restoration guides
- Hurricane Damage Cleanup
- Flood Damage Restoration
- Storm Damage Cleanup
- Water Damage Restoration
- Flood Cleanup
- Mold Remediation
- Burst Pipe Water Damage
- Sewage Cleanup
North Carolina restoration FAQs
Does Fire & Water Energy do the restoration work in North Carolina?
No. Fire & Water Energy is a referral service. When you call (866) 937-3230, we try to connect you with an independent restoration contractor serving your area. Availability depends on local providers.
Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage in North Carolina?
The North Carolina Department of Insurance says homeowners policies do not cover flood damage. Flood coverage is a separate policy, often through the NFIP, which usually has a 30-day waiting period. Check with your insurer or agent about your own policy.
What is the Coastal Property Insurance Pool?
It is another name for the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association, which offers wind coverage for property in the state's beach and coastal areas when the primary policy excludes windstorm.
Can my home flood if it is far from the coast?
Yes. Helene in 2024 caused record flooding in Asheville and across the mountains, and Floyd and Florence flooded rivers far inland. Steep terrain and saturated soil can turn heavy rain into flash floods anywhere in the state.
How do I check a contractor's license in North Carolina?
Ask for the license number and look it up with the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. Electrical and plumbing work is licensed by separate boards.
Where can I get official storm alerts?
Use ReadyNC from North Carolina Emergency Management, your county emergency management office and your local National Weather Service office. Coastal residents can check evacuation zones at Know Your Zone.