Photo: ADeveria · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Dudley faces more hazard damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dudley gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then hurricanes (41%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Dudley faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
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 Dudley’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dudley, and Dudley’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 41%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dudley’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $547K a year in losses across Dudley: $347K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dudley flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Dudley. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Dudley isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wayne County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dudley
Disasters that paid out in Dudley itself (aid to households or repair grants to Dudley), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence490 households applied for aid$359K aid approved
- 2016Hurricane Matthew824 households applied for aid$996K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene33 households applied for aid$9K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel30 households applied for aid$28K aid approved
Wayne County has had 21 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 Dudley after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dudley archive →Get ready for what Dudley faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Dudley
Is Dudley at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dudley has higher expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and hurricanes (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Dudley 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 Wayne County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dudley?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dudley’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 Dudley?
By FEMA money that reached Dudley, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 824 households applied for aid, $996K approved.
Is Dudley at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Dudley’s rate for it is lower than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dudley.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dudley’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.