Storms, floods and disasters in Bridgeton
Bridgeton isn’t graded for hazard risk: Bridgeton has 427 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 105 claims here since 1996.
What Bridgeton 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
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 Bridgeton flood? Yes: 105 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Bridgeton, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Florence61 claims · $3.0M
- Hurricane Fran17 claims · $215K
- Hurricane Irene16 claims · $173K
Bridgeton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Craven County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Bridgeton
Disasters that paid out in Bridgeton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Bridgeton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$12K to the Town of Bridgeton for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence149 households applied for aid$487K aid approved$264K to the Town of Bridgeton for repairs61 flood claims paid for it, $3.0M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$4K to the Town of Bridgeton for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene31 households applied for aid$32K aid approved$88K to the Town of Bridgeton for repairs16 flood claims paid for it, $173K
- 2003Hurricane Isabel2 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$8K to the Town of Bridgeton for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $25K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$9K to the Town of Bridgeton for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $23K
Craven 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 Bridgeton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Bridgeton archive →Get ready for what Bridgeton 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.
- 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 Bridgeton
Does Bridgeton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 105 claims in Bridgeton since 1996, $3.5M in all. 16 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (61).
Is Bridgeton 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 Craven County, 61% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 11.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Bridgeton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Bridgeton’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 Bridgeton?
By FEMA money that reached Bridgeton, Hurricane Florence (2018): 149 households applied for aid, $487K approved, and $264K to the Town of Bridgeton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 61 paid, $3.0M.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Bridgeton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Bridgeton’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.