On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than Havelock, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Havelock gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #287 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (86%), then river and rain flooding (12%). Flood insurance has paid 135 claims here since 1998.
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 Havelock’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Havelock 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 Havelock’s grade
Hurricanes are 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Havelock, and Havelock’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 12% (lower than 53% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #287 of 290 in North Carolina; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Havelock’s residents live in 6 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, Havelock has more expected damage per building than 99% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $21.8M a year in losses across Havelock: $19.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Havelock flood? Yes: 135 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Havelock, from FEMA’s records: 20.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence69 claims · $3.8M
- Hurricane Irene16 claims · $804K
- Hurricane Dennis7 claims · $45K
Havelock is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Craven County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Havelock
Disasters that paid out in Havelock itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Havelock), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$31K to the City of Havelock for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Florence2,604 households applied for aid$2.5M aid approved$4.0M to the City of Havelock for repairs69 flood claims paid for it, $3.8M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew31 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$31K to the City of Havelock for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene385 households applied for aid$481K aid approved$223K to the City of Havelock for repairs16 flood claims paid for it, $804K
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds22 households applied for aid$30K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Ophelia$64K to the City of Havelock for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $22K
Show all 10
- 2005Hurricane Ophelia$15K to the City of Havelock for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $22K
- 2003Hurricane Isabel253 households applied for aid$445K aid approved$80K to the City of Havelock for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $76K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$37K to the City of Havelock for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Dennis$14K to the City of Havelock for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $45K
Craven 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 Havelock after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Havelock archive →Get ready for what Havelock 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.
- Havelock 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 Havelock
Is Havelock at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Havelock has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #287 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (86%) and river and rain flooding (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Havelock flood?
Flood insurance has paid 135 claims in Havelock since 1998, $5.2M in all, or 20.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 18 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (69).
Is Havelock 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 Craven County, 61% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 11.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Havelock?
Havelock 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 Havelock?
By FEMA money that reached Havelock, Hurricane Florence (2018): 2,604 households applied for aid, $2.5M approved, and $4.0M to the City of Havelock for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 69 paid, $3.8M.
Is Havelock at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Havelock’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Havelock.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Havelock’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.