St. John's Episcopal Church · Photo: Tradewinds · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Grifton’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 77% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grifton gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, #220 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then hurricanes (40%). Flood insurance has paid 66 claims here since 1996.
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 Grifton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Grifton 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 Grifton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Grifton, and Grifton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 40%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #220 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Grifton’s 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, Grifton has more expected damage per building than 76% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.1M a year in losses across Grifton: $761K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Grifton flood? Sometimes: 66 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Grifton, from FEMA’s records: 51.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew21 claims · $1.4M
- Hurricane Floyd18 claims · $840K
- Hurricane Florence9 claims · $104K
Grifton is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Pitt County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Grifton
Disasters that paid out in Grifton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Grifton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence332 households applied for aid$161K aid approved$125K to the Town of Grifton for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $104K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew617 households applied for aid$773K aid approved$158K to the Town of Grifton for repairs21 flood claims paid for it, $1.4M
- 2011Hurricane Irene330 households applied for aid$275K aid approved$276K to the Town of Grifton for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $93K
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding1 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds28 households applied for aid$28K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel77 households applied for aid$66K aid approved$24K to the Town of Grifton for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$1.7M to the Town of Grifton for repairs18 flood claims paid for it, $840K
Pitt County has had 22 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 Grifton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Grifton archive →Grifton and its neighbors
Grifton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ayden | Cmore damage than 68% | hurricanes | 15 |
| Grifton | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 66 |
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 Grifton 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.
- Grifton 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 Grifton
Is Grifton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Grifton has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #220 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and hurricanes (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Grifton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 66 claims in Grifton since 1996, $2.6M in all, or 51.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 9 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (21).
Is Grifton 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 Pitt County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Grifton?
Grifton 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 Grifton?
By FEMA money that reached Grifton, Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations (1999): $1.7M to the Town of Grifton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 21 paid, $1.4M.
Is Grifton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Grifton’s rate for it is higher than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Grifton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Grifton’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.