On FEMA’s figures, Hampstead faces more hazard damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hampstead gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #261 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (71%), then river and rain flooding (22%). Flood insurance has paid 128 claims here since 1988.
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 Hampstead’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hampstead faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
River and rain flooding
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 Hampstead’s grade
Hurricanes are 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hampstead, and Hampstead’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 2%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #261 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hampstead’s residents live in 2 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, Hampstead has more expected damage per building than 90% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.9M a year in losses across Hampstead: $5.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hampstead flood? Yes: 128 flood claims since 1988
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hampstead, from FEMA’s records: 38.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence54 claims · $1.3M
- Hurricane Fran35 claims · $518K
- Hurricane Floyd20 claims · $175K
Hampstead isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pender County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hampstead
Disasters that paid out in Hampstead itself (aid to households or repair grants to Hampstead), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence2,215 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved54 flood claims paid for it, $1.3M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew63 households applied for aid$4K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene81 households applied for aid$33K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds30 households applied for aid$18K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel65 households applied for aid$40K aid approved
Pender 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 Hampstead after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hampstead archive →Get ready for what Hampstead faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Hampstead
Is Hampstead at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hampstead has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #261 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (71%) and river and rain flooding (22%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hampstead flood?
Flood insurance has paid 128 claims in Hampstead since 1988, $2.6M in all, or 38.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 90% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (54).
Is Hampstead 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 Pender County, 68% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 16.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hampstead?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hampstead’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 Hampstead?
By FEMA money that reached Hampstead, Hurricane Florence (2018): 2,215 households applied for aid, $2.3M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 54 paid, $1.3M.
Is Hampstead at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Hampstead’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hampstead.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hampstead’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.