Storms, floods and disasters in Kinston
Kinston isn’t graded for hazard risk: Kinston has 704 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 1998.
What Kinston faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
Does Kinston flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kinston, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Georges1 claim · $31K
Kinston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Coffee County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kinston
Disasters that paid out in Kinston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Kinston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2015Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding$29K to the Town of Kinston for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$900 to the Town of Kinston for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes and Straight-line2 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan41 households applied for aid$76K aid approved$5K to the Town of Kinston for repairs
Coffee County has had 26 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms.
Old photos of Kinston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kinston archive →Get ready for what Kinston faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Kinston
Does Kinston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Kinston since 1998, $31K in all. The most claims came from Hurricane Georges (1).
Is Kinston in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Coffee County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kinston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kinston’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Kinston?
By FEMA money that reached Kinston, Hurricane Ivan (2004): 41 households applied for aid, $76K approved, and $5K to the Town of Kinston for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Georges: 1 paid, $31K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kinston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kinston’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.