Grimesland Plantation · Photo: Tradewinds · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Grimesland
Grimesland isn’t graded for hazard risk: Grimesland has 650 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 2016.
What Grimesland 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.
Does Grimesland flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Grimesland, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Helene1 claim · $56K
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $39K
- Hurricane Florence1 claim · $19K
Grimesland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pitt County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Grimesland
Disasters that paid out in Grimesland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Grimesland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence34 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$8K to the Town of Grimesland for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $19K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew94 households applied for aid$40K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $39K
- 2011Hurricane Irene163 households applied for aid$158K aid approved$21K to the Town of Grimesland for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds10 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel33 households applied for aid$40K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$1K to the Town of Grimesland for repairs
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 Grimesland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Grimesland archive →Get ready for what Grimesland 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 Grimesland
Does Grimesland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Grimesland since 2016, $114K in all. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (1).
Is Grimesland 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 Grimesland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Grimesland’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 Grimesland?
By FEMA money that reached Grimesland, Hurricane Irene (2011): 163 households applied for aid, $158K approved, and $21K to the Town of Grimesland for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 1 paid, $56K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Grimesland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Grimesland’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.