Photo: Gerry D · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Benson than in 82% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Benson gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #15 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%). Flood insurance has paid 2 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 Benson 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
Tornadoes
Hurricanes
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 Benson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 68% of the building damage FEMA expects in Benson, and Benson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts. Next is tornadoes at 10% (higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #15 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Benson’s residents live in 3 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, Benson has less expected damage per building than 95% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Benson: $686K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Benson flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Benson, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $69K
Benson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Johnston County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Benson
Disasters that paid out in Benson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Benson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence116 households applied for aid$74K aid approved$11K to the Town of Benson for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew228 households applied for aid$330K aid approved$988K to the Town of Benson for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $69K
- 2011Hurricane Irene3 households applied for aid$402 aid approved$27K to the Town of Benson for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding100 households applied for aid$181K aid approved$17K to the Town of Benson for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel9 households applied for aid$10K aid approved
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$57K to the Town of Benson for repairs
Show all 8
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$2K to the Town of Benson for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$143K to the Town of Benson for repairs
Johnston County has had 21 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 Benson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Benson archive →Get ready for what Benson 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Benson
Is Benson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Benson has lower expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #15 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (68%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Benson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Benson since 2016, $76K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (1).
Is Benson 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 Johnston County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Benson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Benson’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 Benson?
By FEMA money that reached Benson, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 228 households applied for aid, $330K approved, and $988K to the Town of Benson for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 1 paid, $69K.
Is Benson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (68%), and Benson’s rate for it is lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Benson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Benson’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.