Photo: Mjrmtg · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Pearson as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pearson gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hurricanes (30%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Pearson 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.
What’s behind Pearson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pearson, and Pearson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 30% (higher than 87% of U.S. census tracts).
B lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Pearson’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $728K a year in losses across Pearson: $406K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pearson flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Pearson. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Pearson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Atkinson County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pearson
Disasters that paid out in Pearson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pearson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Hurricane Helene1,492 households applied for aid$3.2M aid approved$33K to the City of Pearson for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Irma$26K to the City of Pearson for repairs
Atkinson County has had 11 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Atkinson County, 2007–2007.
Old photos of Pearson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pearson archive →Get ready for what Pearson 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 Pearson
Is Pearson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pearson has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hurricanes (30%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Pearson 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 Atkinson County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pearson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pearson’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 Pearson?
By FEMA money that reached Pearson, Hurricane Helene (2024): 1,492 households applied for aid, $3.2M approved, and $33K to the City of Pearson for repairs.
Is Pearson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Pearson’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pearson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pearson’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.