Photo: Annebethmi · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Carolina Beach than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carolina Beach gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #249 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (75%), then coastal flooding (13%). Flood insurance has paid 2,226 claims here since 1979.
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 stands out about Carolina Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Carolina Beach faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
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 Carolina Beach’s grade
Hurricanes are 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carolina Beach, and Carolina Beach’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 13%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #249 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Carolina Beach’s residents live in 2 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, Carolina Beach has more expected damage per building than 86% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $10.8M a year in losses across Carolina Beach: $9.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carolina Beach flood? Yes: 2,226 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Carolina Beach, from FEMA’s records: 355.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran702 claims · $16.4M
- Hurricane Floyd460 claims · $8.6M
- Hurricane Bonnie284 claims · $3.4M
Carolina Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: New Hanover County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Carolina Beach
Disasters that paid out in Carolina Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Carolina Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight$660K to the Town of Carolina Beach for repairs166 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Hurricane Isaias$481K to the Town of Carolina Beach for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$90K to the Town of Carolina Beach for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Florence736 households applied for aid$323K aid approved$1.2M to the Town of Carolina Beach for repairs201 flood claims paid for it, $3.7M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$792K to the Town of Carolina Beach for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene10 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$74K to the Town of Carolina Beach for repairs34 flood claims paid that year
Show all 13
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds9 households applied for aid$3K aid approved26 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Tropical Storm Hanna$40K to the Town of Carolina Beach for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Ophelia$51K to the Town of Carolina Beach for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Ophelia$112K to the Town of Carolina Beach for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel4 households applied for aid$634 aid approved$31K to the Town of Carolina Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$1.3M to the Town of Carolina Beach for repairs460 flood claims paid for it, $8.6M
- 1999Hurricane Dennis$59K to the Town of Carolina Beach for repairs
New Hanover County has had 23 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 Carolina Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Carolina Beach archive →Carolina Beach and its neighbors
Carolina Beach is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kure Beach | D−more damage than 96% | hurricanes | 585 |
| Carolina Beach | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 2,226 |
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 Carolina Beach 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Carolina Beach residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Carolina Beach
Is Carolina Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carolina Beach has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #249 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (75%) and coastal flooding (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Carolina Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,226 claims in Carolina Beach since 1979, $41.7M in all, or 355.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 350 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (702).
Is Carolina Beach 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 New Hanover County, 75% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 14.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Carolina Beach?
Carolina Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Carolina Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Carolina Beach, Hurricane Florence (2018): 736 households applied for aid, $323K approved, and $1.2M to the Town of Carolina Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 702 paid, $16.4M.
Is Carolina Beach at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Carolina Beach’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Carolina Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Carolina Beach’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.