FEMA puts Fremont’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fremont gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%), then hurricanes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2018.
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 Fremont 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 Fremont’s grade
River and rain flooding is 54% of the building damage FEMA expects in Fremont, and Fremont’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 38% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
C higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Fremont’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $753K a year in losses across Fremont: $535K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Fremont flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Fremont, from FEMA’s records: 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence1 claim · $18K
Fremont isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wayne County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Fremont
Disasters that paid out in Fremont itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Fremont), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence71 households applied for aid$39K aid approved$193K to the Town of Fremont for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $18K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew79 households applied for aid$47K aid approved$229K to the Town of Fremont for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene9 households applied for aid$313 aid approved$30K to the Town of Fremont for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel9 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$11K to the Town of Fremont for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$9K to the Town of Fremont for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$148K to the Town of Fremont for repairs
Wayne County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Fremont after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Fremont archive →Get ready for what Fremont 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 Fremont
Is Fremont at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Fremont has higher expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (54%) and hurricanes (38%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Fremont flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Fremont since 2018, $18K in all, or 1.7 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (1).
Is Fremont 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 Wayne County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Fremont?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Fremont’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 Fremont?
By FEMA money that reached Fremont, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 79 households applied for aid, $47K approved, and $229K to the Town of Fremont for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 1 paid, $18K.
Is Fremont at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (54%), and Fremont’s rate for it is higher than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Fremont.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Fremont’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.