W. H. Langley House · Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD · CC0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Elm City as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elm City gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%), then hurricanes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2016.
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 Elm City 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 Elm City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Elm City, and Elm City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 19% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Elm City’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $456K a year in losses across Elm City: $316K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Elm City flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Elm City, from FEMA’s records: 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $7K
- Hurricane Eta1 claim · $827
Elm City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wilson County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Elm City
Disasters that paid out in Elm City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Elm City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence29 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$37K to the Town of Elm City for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew59 households applied for aid$65K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
- 2011Hurricane Irene41 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$57K to the Town of Elm City for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel14 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$15K to the Town of Elm City for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$34K to the Town of Elm City for repairs
Wilson County has had 22 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 Elm City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Elm City archive →Get ready for what Elm City 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 Elm City
Is Elm City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Elm City has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (71%) and hurricanes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Elm City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Elm City since 2016, $17K in all, or 4.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (1).
Is Elm City 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 Wilson County, 51% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Elm City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Elm City’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 Elm City?
By FEMA money that reached Elm City, Hurricane Irene (2011): 41 households applied for aid, $25K approved, and $57K to the Town of Elm City for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Elm City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Elm City’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Elm City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Elm City’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.