Photo: Bigbird78 · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Aberdeen than in 68% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aberdeen gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #65 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%), then hurricanes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2016.
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 Aberdeen 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 Aberdeen’s grade
River and rain flooding is 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Aberdeen, and Aberdeen’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #65 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Aberdeen’s residents live in 7 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical North Carolina town has lower expected damage than 51% of U.S. towns; within the state, Aberdeen has less expected damage per building than 78% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Aberdeen: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Aberdeen flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Aberdeen, from FEMA’s records: 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025 July TS Chantal2 claims · $98K
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $913
Aberdeen isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Moore County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Aberdeen
Disasters that paid out in Aberdeen itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Aberdeen), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Tropical Depression Chantal$1.7M to the Town of Aberdeen for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Florence133 households applied for aid$26K aid approved$89K to the Town of Aberdeen for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew75 households applied for aid$25K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $913
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$154K to the Town of Aberdeen for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$43K to the Town of Aberdeen for repairs
Moore County has had 18 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Aberdeen after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Aberdeen archive →Aberdeen and its neighbors
Aberdeen is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Pines | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Aberdeen | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Pinehurst | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Aberdeen 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 Aberdeen
Is Aberdeen at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Aberdeen has lower expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #65 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (62%) and hurricanes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Aberdeen flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Aberdeen since 2016, $98K in all, or 0.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2025 July TS Chantal (2).
Is Aberdeen 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 Moore County, 51% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Aberdeen?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Aberdeen’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 Aberdeen?
By FEMA money that reached Aberdeen, Tropical Depression Chantal (2025): $1.7M to the Town of Aberdeen for repairs. By flood claims, 2025 July TS Chantal: 2 paid, $98K.
Is Aberdeen at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Aberdeen’s rate for it is lower than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Aberdeen.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Aberdeen’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.