Photo: NCDOT · CC BY 2.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Chadbourn than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chadbourn gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (64%), then river and rain flooding (19%). Flood insurance has paid 6 claims here since 1996.
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 Chadbourn 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
Strong wind
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 Chadbourn’s grade
Hurricanes are 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Chadbourn, and Chadbourn’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Chadbourn’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Chadbourn: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Chadbourn flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Chadbourn, from FEMA’s records: 7.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $38K
- Hurricane Fran1 claim · $9K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $9K
Chadbourn isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Columbus County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Chadbourn
Disasters that paid out in Chadbourn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Chadbourn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby$9K to the Town of Chadbourn for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence671 households applied for aid$480K aid approved$61K to the Town of Chadbourn for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew730 households applied for aid$848K aid approved$64K to the Town of Chadbourn for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $38K
- 2011Hurricane Irene173 households applied for aid$38K aid approved$7K to the Town of Chadbourn for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances571 households applied for aid$928K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel596 households applied for aid$529K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$60K to the Town of Chadbourn for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $9K
Columbus County has had 21 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 Chadbourn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Chadbourn archive →Get ready for what Chadbourn 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Chadbourn
Is Chadbourn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Chadbourn has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (64%) and river and rain flooding (19%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Chadbourn flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Chadbourn since 1996, $69K in all, or 7.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (1).
Is Chadbourn 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 Columbus County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Chadbourn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Chadbourn’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 Chadbourn?
By FEMA money that reached Chadbourn, Tropical Storm Frances (2004): 571 households applied for aid, $928K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 1 paid, $38K.
Is Chadbourn at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Chadbourn’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Chadbourn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Chadbourn’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.