Photo: Gerry Dincher from Hope Mills, NC · CC BY-SA 2.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Dunn than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dunn gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #34 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%), then hurricanes (28%). Flood insurance has paid 20 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 stands out about Dunn’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Dunn 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
Tornadoes
Earthquakes
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 Dunn’s grade
River and rain flooding is 50% of the building damage FEMA expects in Dunn, and Dunn’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 28% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #34 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Dunn’s residents live in 4 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, Dunn has less expected damage per building than 89% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Dunn: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Dunn flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Dunn, from FEMA’s records: 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew6 claims · $142K
- Hurricane Florence5 claims · $106K
- Hurricane Fran3 claims · $38K
Dunn isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Harnett County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Dunn
Disasters that paid out in Dunn itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Dunn), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence594 households applied for aid$374K aid approved$156K to the City of Dunn for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $106K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew668 households applied for aid$467K aid approved$380K to the City of Dunn for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $142K
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding320 households applied for aid$529K aid approved$75K to the City of Dunn for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel32 households applied for aid$23K aid approved
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$54K to the City of Dunn for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$22K to the City of Dunn for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$286K to the City of Dunn for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $219
Harnett County has had 18 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 Dunn after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Dunn archive →Dunn and its neighbors
Dunn has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunn | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Erwin | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Dunn 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.
- 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Dunn
Is Dunn at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Dunn has lower expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #34 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (50%) and hurricanes (28%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Dunn flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Dunn since 1996, $373K in all, or 4.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 59% 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 Dunn 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 Harnett County, 49% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Dunn?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Dunn’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 Dunn?
By FEMA money that reached Dunn, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 668 households applied for aid, $467K approved, and $380K to the City of Dunn for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 6 paid, $142K.
Is Dunn at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (50%), and Dunn’s rate for it is lower than 85% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Dunn.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Dunn’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.