Photo: J654567 · CC BY-SA 3.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Pineville than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pineville gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). Flood insurance has paid 39 claims here since 1981.
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 Pineville 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
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 Pineville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 94% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pineville, and Pineville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pineville’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Pineville: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pineville flood? Sometimes: 39 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pineville, from FEMA’s records: 38.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Pineville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bell County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pineville
Disasters that paid out in Pineville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Pineville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding15 households applied for aid$42K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, and Mudslides2 households applied for aid$838 aid approved
Bell County has had 23 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Bell County, 2000–2001.
Old photos of Pineville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pineville archive →Get ready for what Pineville 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.
- 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 Pineville
Is Pineville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pineville has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (94%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pineville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 39 claims in Pineville since 1981, $295K in all, or 38.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once.
Is Pineville 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 Bell County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pineville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pineville’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 Pineville?
By FEMA money that reached Pineville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2011): 15 households applied for aid, $42K approved.
Is Pineville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (94%), and Pineville’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pineville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pineville’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.