Trinity Methodist Church · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA puts Elizabethtown’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elizabethtown gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns, #237 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (69%), then river and rain flooding (19%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2005.
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 Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown’s grade
Hurricanes are 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elizabethtown, and Elizabethtown’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 3%, at a rate in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
D #237 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Elizabethtown’s residents live in 2 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, Elizabethtown has more expected damage per building than 82% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.7M a year in losses across Elizabethtown: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elizabethtown flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2005
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elizabethtown, from FEMA’s records: 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence2 claims · $35K
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $43K
- Hurricane Debby1 claim · $14K
Elizabethtown isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Bladen County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elizabethtown
Disasters that paid out in Elizabethtown itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Elizabethtown), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$13K to the Town of Elizabethtown for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence759 households applied for aid$526K aid approved$4.5M to the Town of Elizabethtown for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $35K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew826 households applied for aid$473K aid approved$398K to the Town of Elizabethtown for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $43K
- 2011Hurricane Irene17 households applied for aid$22K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding180 households applied for aid$60K aid approved$11K to the Town of Elizabethtown for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances751 households applied for aid$1.3M aid approved
Show all 8
- 2003Hurricane Isabel768 households applied for aid$462K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$207K to the Town of Elizabethtown for repairs
Bladen County has had 20 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Bladen County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Elizabethtown after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elizabethtown archive →Get ready for what Elizabethtown 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Elizabethtown
Is Elizabethtown at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elizabethtown has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #237 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (69%) and river and rain flooding (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Elizabethtown flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Elizabethtown since 2005, $96K in all, or 2.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (2).
Is Elizabethtown 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 Bladen County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.9% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Elizabethtown?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elizabethtown’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 Elizabethtown?
By FEMA money that reached Elizabethtown, Hurricane Florence (2018): 759 households applied for aid, $526K approved, and $4.5M to the Town of Elizabethtown for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 2 paid, $35K.
Is Elizabethtown at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Elizabethtown’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elizabethtown.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elizabethtown’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.