More hazard damage per building is expected in Calabash than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Calabash gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #245 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (76%), then river and rain flooding (18%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 1989.
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 Calabash 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.
What’s behind Calabash’s grade
Hurricanes are 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Calabash, and Calabash’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #245 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Calabash’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, Calabash has more expected damage per building than 84% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.0M a year in losses across Calabash: $1.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Calabash flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Calabash, from FEMA’s records: 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The October severe storms2 claims · $34K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $46K
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $24K
Calabash isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brunswick County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Calabash
Disasters that paid out in Calabash itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Calabash), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$9K to the Town of Calabash for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence241 households applied for aid$94K aid approved$74K to the Town of Calabash for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew29 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$81K to the Town of Calabash for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $24K
- 2011Hurricane Irene4 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$3K to the Town of Calabash for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Hanna$22K to the Town of Calabash for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Ophelia$5K to the Town of Calabash for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$30K to the Town of Calabash for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $46K
Brunswick County has had 25 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Brunswick County, 2025–2025.
Old photos of Calabash after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Calabash archive →Calabash and its neighbors
Calabash is 2nd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset Beach | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 72 |
| Calabash | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 5 |
| Carolina Shores | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 23 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Calabash 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 Calabash
Is Calabash at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Calabash has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #245 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (76%) and river and rain flooding (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Calabash flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Calabash since 1989, $108K in all, or 2.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from October severe storms (2).
Is Calabash 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 Brunswick County, 78% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 21.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Calabash?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Calabash’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 Calabash?
By FEMA money that reached Calabash, Hurricane Florence (2018): 241 households applied for aid, $94K approved, and $74K to the Town of Calabash for repairs. By flood claims, October severe storms: 2 paid, $34K.
Is Calabash at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Calabash’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Calabash.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Calabash’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.