Photo: DiscoA340 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Emerald Isle than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Emerald Isle gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #283 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (86%), then river and rain flooding (10%). Flood insurance has paid 857 claims here since 1983.
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 Emerald Isle’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Emerald Isle 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 Emerald Isle’s grade
Hurricanes are 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Emerald Isle, and Emerald Isle’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 3%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #283 of 290 in North Carolina; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Emerald Isle’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, Emerald Isle has more expected damage per building than 98% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.5M a year in losses across Emerald Isle: $14.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Emerald Isle flood? Yes: 857 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Emerald Isle, from FEMA’s records: 124.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence231 claims · $4.7M
- Hurricane Floyd163 claims · $3.0M
- Hurricane Fran154 claims · $1.3M
Emerald Isle is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Carteret County.13 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Emerald Isle
Disasters that paid out in Emerald Isle itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Emerald Isle), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight$31K to the Town of Emerald Isle for repairs
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby$27K to the Town of Emerald Isle for repairs
- 2020Hurricane Isaias$24K to the Town of Emerald Isle for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$224K to the Town of Emerald Isle for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Florence494 households applied for aid$183K aid approved$39.4M to the Town of Emerald Isle for repairs231 flood claims paid for it, $4.7M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$15K to the Town of Emerald Isle for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
Show all 13
- 2011Hurricane Irene30 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$3.4M to the Town of Emerald Isle for repairs9 flood claims paid that year
- 2010Hurricane Earl$15K to the Town of Emerald Isle for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Ophelia$5.4M to the Town of Emerald Isle for repairs83 flood claims paid for it, $1.6M
- 2005Hurricane Ophelia$36K to the Town of Emerald Isle for repairs83 flood claims paid for it, $1.6M
- 2003Hurricane Isabel6 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$1.4M to the Town of Emerald Isle for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$673K to the Town of Emerald Isle for repairs163 flood claims paid for it, $3.0M
- 1999Hurricane Dennis$15K to the Town of Emerald Isle for repairs
Carteret County has had 20 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 Emerald Isle after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Emerald Isle archive →Get ready for what Emerald Isle 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.
- Emerald Isle 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 Emerald Isle
Is Emerald Isle at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Emerald Isle has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #283 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (86%) and river and rain flooding (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Emerald Isle flood?
Flood insurance has paid 857 claims in Emerald Isle since 1983, $12.7M in all, or 124.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 97% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 114 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (231).
Is Emerald Isle 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 Carteret County, 52% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 21.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Emerald Isle?
Emerald Isle 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 Emerald Isle?
By FEMA money that reached Emerald Isle, Hurricane Florence (2018): 494 households applied for aid, $183K approved, and $39.4M to the Town of Emerald Isle for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 231 paid, $4.7M.
Is Emerald Isle at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Emerald Isle’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Emerald Isle.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Emerald Isle’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.