Storms, floods and disasters in Calypso
Calypso isn’t graded for hazard risk: Calypso has 385 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 2014.
What Calypso 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
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 Calypso flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2014
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Calypso, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Matthew2 claims · $21K
- Hurricane Florence1 claim · $23K
Calypso isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Duplin County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Calypso
Disasters that paid out in Calypso itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Calypso), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence17 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$18K to the Town of Calypso for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $23K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew20 households applied for aid$42K aid approved$30K to the Town of Calypso for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $21K
- 2011Hurricane Irene3 households applied for aid$6K to the Town of Calypso for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$11K to the Town of Calypso for repairs
Duplin County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Calypso after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Calypso archive →Get ready for what Calypso 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.
- 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 Calypso
Does Calypso flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Calypso since 2014, $63K in all. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (2).
Is Calypso 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 Duplin County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Calypso?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Calypso’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 Calypso?
By FEMA money that reached Calypso, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 20 households applied for aid, $42K approved, and $30K to the Town of Calypso for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 2 paid, $21K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Calypso.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Calypso’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.