Seaboard Air Line Passenger Depot · Photo: Geradams · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Hamlet as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamlet gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns, #113 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hurricanes (18%). Flood insurance has paid 3 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 Hamlet 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
Earthquakes
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 Hamlet’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hamlet, and Hamlet’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 18% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B #113 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hamlet’s residents live in 4 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, Hamlet has less expected damage per building than 61% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Hamlet: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hamlet flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hamlet, from FEMA’s records: 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew2 claims · $35K
- Hurricane Florence1 claim · $42K
Hamlet isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Richmond County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hamlet
Disasters that paid out in Hamlet itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hamlet), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence385 households applied for aid$103K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $42K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew43 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$18K to the City of Hamlet for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $35K
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$13K to the City of Hamlet for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$87K to the City of Hamlet for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$9K to the City of Hamlet for repairs
Richmond County has had 15 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 Hamlet after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hamlet archive →Hamlet and its neighbors
Hamlet has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamlet | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Dobbins Heights | — | 560 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Hamlet 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Hamlet
Is Hamlet at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hamlet has lower expected damage per building than 57% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #113 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hurricanes (18%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hamlet flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Hamlet since 2016, $77K in all, or 1.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 78% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (2).
Is Hamlet 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 Richmond County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hamlet?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hamlet’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 Hamlet?
By FEMA money that reached Hamlet, Hurricane Florence (2018): 385 households applied for aid, $103K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 2 paid, $35K.
Is Hamlet at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Hamlet’s rate for it is lower than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hamlet.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hamlet’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.