Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Clinton faces more hazard damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clinton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #233 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (66%), then river and rain flooding (23%). Flood insurance has paid 30 claims here since 1984.
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 Clinton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Clinton 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.
What’s behind Clinton’s grade
Hurricanes are 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Clinton, and Clinton’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 23% (lower than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
D #233 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Clinton’s residents live in 5 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, Clinton has more expected damage per building than 80% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.9M a year in losses across Clinton: $5.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Clinton flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Clinton, from FEMA’s records: 8.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew6 claims · $118K
- Hurricane Florence5 claims · $65K
- Hurricane Floyd4 claims · $47K
Clinton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Sampson County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Clinton
Disasters that paid out in Clinton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Clinton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$17K to the City of Clinton for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence976 households applied for aid$461K aid approved$360K to the City of Clinton for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $65K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew787 households applied for aid$481K aid approved$246K to the City of Clinton for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $118K
- 2011Hurricane Irene22 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$79K to the City of Clinton for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding217 households applied for aid$70K aid approved$35K to the City of Clinton for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel275 households applied for aid$133K aid approved
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$379K to the City of Clinton for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $47K
Sampson 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 Clinton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Clinton archive →Get ready for what Clinton 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.
- Clinton residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Clinton
Is Clinton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Clinton has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #233 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (66%) and river and rain flooding (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Clinton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Clinton since 1984, $380K in all, or 8.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 71% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (6).
Is Clinton 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 Sampson County, 14% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Clinton?
Clinton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% 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 Clinton?
By FEMA money that reached Clinton, Hurricane Florence (2018): 976 households applied for aid, $461K approved, and $360K to the City of Clinton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 6 paid, $118K.
Is Clinton at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Clinton’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Clinton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Clinton’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.