Erwin Commercial Historic District · Photo: Dincher · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Erwin as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Erwin gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #163 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then hurricanes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 4 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 Erwin 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 Erwin’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Erwin, and Erwin’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 19% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #163 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Erwin’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical North Carolina town has lower expected damage than 51% of U.S. towns; within the state, Erwin has more expected damage per building than 56% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Erwin: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Erwin flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Erwin, from FEMA’s records: 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew3 claims · $204K
- Hurricane Florence1 claim · $16K
Erwin isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Harnett County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Erwin
Disasters that paid out in Erwin itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Erwin), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence207 households applied for aid$222K aid approved$186K to the Town of Erwin for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $16K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew174 households applied for aid$248K aid approved$151K to the Town of Erwin for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $204K
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding11 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel7 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$73K to the Town of Erwin for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$9K to the Town of Erwin for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$224K to the Town of Erwin for repairs
Harnett County has had 18 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 Erwin after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Erwin archive →Erwin and its neighbors
Erwin is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dunn | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 20 |
| Erwin | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 4 |
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 Erwin 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 Erwin
Is Erwin at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Erwin has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #163 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and hurricanes (19%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Erwin flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Erwin since 2016, $220K in all, or 1.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 63% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (3).
Is Erwin 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 Harnett County, 49% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Erwin?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Erwin’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 Erwin?
By FEMA money that reached Erwin, Hurricane Florence (2018): 207 households applied for aid, $222K approved, and $186K to the Town of Erwin for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 3 paid, $204K.
Is Erwin at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Erwin’s rate for it is higher than 54% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Erwin.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Erwin’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.