Willian H. Long House · Photo: Tradewinds · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Ayden faces more hazard damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ayden gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns, #203 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (46%), then river and rain flooding (42%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1996.
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 Ayden faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Ayden’s grade
Hurricanes are 46% of the building damage FEMA expects in Ayden, and Ayden’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 42% (lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts).
C #203 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Ayden’s residents live in 4 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, Ayden has more expected damage per building than 70% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.1M a year in losses across Ayden: $1.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Ayden flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Ayden, from FEMA’s records: 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ernesto3 claims · $36K
- Hurricane Matthew3 claims · $93K
- Hurricane Irene3 claims · $34K
Ayden isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pitt County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Ayden
Disasters that paid out in Ayden itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Ayden), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Isaias$69K to the Town of Ayden for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$28K to the Town of Ayden for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence64 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$155K to the Town of Ayden for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $15K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew193 households applied for aid$142K aid approved$216K to the Town of Ayden for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $93K
- 2011Hurricane Irene316 households applied for aid$255K aid approved$526K to the Town of Ayden for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $34K
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds14 households applied for aid$33K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 8
- 2003Hurricane Isabel88 households applied for aid$49K aid approved$51K to the Town of Ayden for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$424K to the Town of Ayden for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
Pitt County has had 22 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 Ayden after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Ayden archive →Ayden and its neighbors
Ayden has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ayden | Cmore damage than 68% | hurricanes | 15 |
| Grifton | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 66 |
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 Ayden faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Ayden
Is Ayden at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Ayden has higher expected damage per building than 68% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #203 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (46%) and river and rain flooding (42%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Ayden flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Ayden since 1996, $220K in all, or 5.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ernesto (3).
Is Ayden 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 Pitt County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Ayden?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Ayden’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 Ayden?
By FEMA money that reached Ayden, Hurricane Irene (2011): 316 households applied for aid, $255K approved, and $526K to the Town of Ayden for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ernesto: 3 paid, $36K.
Is Ayden at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (46%), and Ayden’s rate for it is in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Ayden.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Ayden’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.