More hazard damage per building is expected in Carolina Shores than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carolina Shores gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #255 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (73%), then river and rain flooding (23%). Flood insurance has paid 23 claims here since 1999.
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 Shores’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Carolina Shores 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 Carolina Shores’ grade
Hurricanes are 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Carolina Shores, and Carolina Shores’ rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 23% (higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #255 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Carolina Shores’ 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 Shores has more expected damage per building than 88% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Carolina Shores: $3.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Carolina Shores flood? Sometimes: 23 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Carolina Shores, from FEMA’s records: 7.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The October severe storms18 claims · $1.2M
- Hurricane Floyd2 claims · $79K
- Hurricane Charley1 claim · $6K
Carolina Shores is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Brunswick County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Carolina Shores
Disasters that paid out in Carolina Shores itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Carolina Shores), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$41K to the Town of Carolina Shores for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Florence48 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$1.0M to the Town of Carolina Shores for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew11 households applied for aid$1.0M to the Town of Carolina Shores for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$9K to the Town of Carolina Shores for repairs
- 2008Tropical Storm Hanna$4K to the Town of Carolina Shores for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$149K to the Town of Carolina Shores for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $79K
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Dennis$4K to the Town of Carolina Shores for repairs
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 Carolina Shores after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Carolina Shores archive →Carolina Shores and its neighbors
Carolina Shores 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Carolina Shores 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.
- Carolina Shores residents get 05% 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 Shores
Is Carolina Shores at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Carolina Shores has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #255 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (73%) and river and rain flooding (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Carolina Shores flood?
Flood insurance has paid 23 claims in Carolina Shores since 1999, $1.3M in all, or 7.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from October severe storms (18).
Is Carolina Shores 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 Carolina Shores?
Carolina Shores is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% 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 Shores?
By FEMA money that reached Carolina Shores, Hurricane Florence (2018): 48 households applied for aid, $13K approved, and $1.0M to the Town of Carolina Shores for repairs. By flood claims, October severe storms: 18 paid, $1.2M.
Is Carolina Shores at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Carolina Shores’ rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Carolina Shores.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Carolina Shores’ 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.