Storms, floods and disasters in Black Creek
Black Creek isn’t graded for hazard risk: Black Creek has 749 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1999.
What Black Creek 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.
Does Black Creek flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Black Creek, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Matthew4 claims · $931K
- Hurricane Floyd3 claims · $184K
- Hurricane Florence2 claims · $234K
Black Creek isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wilson County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Black Creek
Disasters that paid out in Black Creek itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Black Creek), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence4 households applied for aid$5K to the Town of Black Creek for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $234K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$11K to the Town of Black Creek for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $931K
- 2011Hurricane Irene1 households applied for aid$31K to the Town of Black Creek for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel1 households applied for aid$994 aid approved$12K to the Town of Black Creek for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$89K to the Town of Black Creek for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $184K
Wilson 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 Black Creek after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Black Creek archive →Get ready for what Black Creek 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 Black Creek
Does Black Creek flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Black Creek since 1999, $1.5M in all. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (4).
Is Black Creek 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 Wilson 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 Black Creek?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Black Creek’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 Black Creek?
By FEMA money that reached Black Creek, Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations (1999): $89K to the Town of Black Creek for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 4 paid, $931K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Black Creek.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Black Creek’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.