Photo: Property Wizard · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Belhaven than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Belhaven gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (70%), then coastal flooding (18%). Flood insurance has paid 1,906 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Belhaven’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Belhaven faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
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 Belhaven’s grade
Hurricanes are 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Belhaven, and Belhaven’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 18%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Belhaven’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Belhaven: $2.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Belhaven flood? Yes: 1,906 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Belhaven, from FEMA’s records: 2,014.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Bonnie284 claims · $2.2M
- Hurricane Floyd279 claims · $3.3M
- Hurricane Irene256 claims · $4.4M
Belhaven is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Beaufort County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Belhaven
Disasters that paid out in Belhaven itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Belhaven), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence326 households applied for aid$396K aid approved188 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Hurricane Matthew57 households applied for aid$52K aid approved21 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene816 households applied for aid$2.0M aid approved256 flood claims paid for it, $4.4M
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds28 households applied for aid$24K aid approved5 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel542 households applied for aid$792K aid approved222 flood claims paid for it, $2.2M
Beaufort County has had 23 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 Belhaven after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Belhaven archive →Get ready for what Belhaven 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Belhaven residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Belhaven
Is Belhaven at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Belhaven has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (70%) and coastal flooding (18%). 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.
Does Belhaven flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,906 claims in Belhaven since 1979, $23.8M in all, or 2,014.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 287 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Bonnie (284).
Is Belhaven 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 Beaufort County, 56% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 13.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Belhaven?
Belhaven is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Belhaven?
By FEMA money that reached Belhaven, Hurricane Irene (2011): 816 households applied for aid, $2.0M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Bonnie: 284 paid, $2.2M.
Is Belhaven at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Belhaven’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Belhaven.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Belhaven’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.