On FEMA’s figures, Bethel faces more hazard damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bethel gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then hurricanes (40%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2006.
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 Bethel 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 Bethel’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Bethel, and Bethel’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 40% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Bethel’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $665K a year in losses across Bethel: $426K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Bethel flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bethel, from FEMA’s records: 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Tropical Storm Ernesto1 claim · $5K
Bethel 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bethel
Disasters that paid out in Bethel itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bethel), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence17 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$11K to the Town of Bethel for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew85 households applied for aid$59K aid approved$81K to the Town of Bethel for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene99 households applied for aid$70K aid approved$69K to the Town of Bethel for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds3 households applied for aid$589 aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel28 households applied for aid$18K aid approved$8K to the Town of Bethel for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$69K to the Town of Bethel for repairs
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 Bethel after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bethel archive →Get ready for what Bethel 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 Bethel
Is Bethel at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Bethel has higher expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and hurricanes (40%). 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 Bethel flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Bethel since 2006, $12K in all, or 3.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Tropical Storm Ernesto (1).
Is Bethel 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 Bethel?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bethel’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 Bethel?
By FEMA money that reached Bethel, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 85 households applied for aid, $59K approved, and $81K to the Town of Bethel for repairs. By flood claims, Tropical Storm Ernesto: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Bethel at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Bethel’s rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bethel.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bethel’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.