Enfield Graded School · Photo: Cecouchman · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Enfield faces less hazard damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Enfield gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%), then hurricanes (24%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2006.
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 Enfield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Enfield 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
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 Enfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Enfield, and Enfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 24% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Enfield’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $860K a year in losses across Enfield: $508K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Enfield flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2006
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Enfield, from FEMA’s records: 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew2 claims · $126K
Enfield isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Halifax County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Enfield
Disasters that paid out in Enfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Enfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Hurricane Matthew145 households applied for aid$127K aid approved$124K to the Town of Enfield for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $126K
- 2011Hurricane Irene347 households applied for aid$271K aid approved$129K to the Town of Enfield for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding17 households applied for aid$192 aid approved$2K to the Town of Enfield for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel256 households applied for aid$129K aid approved$86K to the Town of Enfield for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$68K to the Town of Enfield for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$9K to the Town of Enfield for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$806K to the Town of Enfield for repairs
Halifax County has had 21 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 Enfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Enfield archive →Get ready for what Enfield 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.
- 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 Enfield
Is Enfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Enfield has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (59%) and hurricanes (24%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Enfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Enfield since 2006, $140K in all, or 3.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 52% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (2).
Is Enfield 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 Halifax County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Enfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Enfield’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 Enfield?
By FEMA money that reached Enfield, Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations (1999): $806K to the Town of Enfield for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 2 paid, $126K.
Is Enfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Enfield’s rate for it is lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Enfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Enfield’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.