Photo: Fogleew · CC BY-SA 4.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Four Oaks than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Four Oaks gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #21 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%). Flood insurance has paid 6 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 stands out about Four Oaks’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Four Oaks 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 Four Oaks’ grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Four Oaks, and Four Oaks’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #21 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Four Oaks’ residents live in 3 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, Four Oaks has less expected damage per building than 93% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $597K a year in losses across Four Oaks: $350K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Four Oaks flood? Rarely: 6 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Four Oaks, from FEMA’s records: 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew5 claims · $12K
Four Oaks isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Johnston County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Four Oaks
Disasters that paid out in Four Oaks itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Four Oaks), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence76 households applied for aid$27K aid approved$25K to the Town of Four Oaks for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew202 households applied for aid$302K aid approved5 flood claims paid for it, $12K
- 2011Hurricane Irene4 households applied for aid$3K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding142 households applied for aid$219K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel9 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
Johnston 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 Four Oaks after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Four Oaks archive →Get ready for what Four Oaks 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 Four Oaks
Is Four Oaks at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Four Oaks has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #21 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hurricanes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Four Oaks flood?
Flood insurance has paid 6 claims in Four Oaks since 2016, $72K in all, or 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (5).
Is Four Oaks 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 Johnston County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Four Oaks?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Four Oaks’ 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 Four Oaks?
By FEMA money that reached Four Oaks, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 202 households applied for aid, $302K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 5 paid, $12K.
Is Four Oaks at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Four Oaks’ rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Four Oaks.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Four Oaks’ 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.