Photo: Tnewman39 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Edenton’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Edenton gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns, #232 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (78%), then river and rain flooding (17%). Flood insurance has paid 150 claims here since 1985.
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 Edenton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Edenton 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 Edenton’s grade
Hurricanes are 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Edenton, and Edenton’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #232 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Edenton’s residents live in 3 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, Edenton has more expected damage per building than 80% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across Edenton: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Edenton flood? Yes: 150 flood claims since 1985
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Edenton, from FEMA’s records: 58.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel81 claims · $3.5M
- Hurricane Irene30 claims · $429K
- Hurricane Matthew9 claims · $244K
Edenton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Chowan County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Edenton
Disasters that paid out in Edenton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Edenton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Isaias$102K to the Town of Edenton for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$250K to the Town of Edenton for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2016Hurricane Matthew186 households applied for aid$123K aid approved$188K to the Town of Edenton for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $244K
- 2011Hurricane Irene174 households applied for aid$92K aid approved$232K to the Town of Edenton for repairs30 flood claims paid for it, $429K
- 2005Hurricane Ophelia$2K to the Town of Edenton for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel2,338 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$1.9M to the Town of Edenton for repairs81 flood claims paid for it, $3.5M
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$208K to the Town of Edenton for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $38K
Chowan County has had 19 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 Edenton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Edenton archive →Edenton and its neighbors
Edenton has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edenton | Dmore damage than 87% | hurricanes | 150 |
| Cape Colony | — | 509 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Edenton 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.
- Edenton residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Edenton
Is Edenton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Edenton has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #232 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (78%) and river and rain flooding (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Edenton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 150 claims in Edenton since 1985, $4.5M in all, or 58.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 12 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (81).
Is Edenton 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 Chowan County, 52% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Edenton?
Edenton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Edenton?
By FEMA money that reached Edenton, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 2,338 households applied for aid, $1.9M approved, and $1.9M to the Town of Edenton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 81 paid, $3.5M.
Is Edenton at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Edenton’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Edenton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Edenton’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.