Newbold-White House · Photo: Harvey Harrison · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Hertford’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 90% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hertford gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (75%), then river and rain flooding (20%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1999.
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 Hertford 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 Hertford’s grade
Hurricanes are 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hertford, and Hertford’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 20% (lower than 76% of U.S. census tracts).
D higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hertford’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Hertford: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hertford flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hertford, from FEMA’s records: 14.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel11 claims · $280K
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $1K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $7K
Hertford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Perquimans County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hertford
Disasters that paid out in Hertford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hertford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$17K to the Town of Hertford for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew90 households applied for aid$31K aid approved$46K to the Town of Hertford for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $1K
- 2011Hurricane Irene154 households applied for aid$78K aid approved$50K to the Town of Hertford for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Ophelia$7K to the Town of Hertford for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel1,730 households applied for aid$1.5M aid approved$607K to the Town of Hertford for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $280K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$176K to the Town of Hertford for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
Perquimans County has had 18 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 Hertford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hertford archive →Hertford and its neighbors
Hertford 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hertford | Dmore damage than 90% | hurricanes | 15 |
| Winfall | — | 697 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 Hertford 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 Hertford
Is Hertford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hertford has higher expected damage per building than 90% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (75%) and river and rain flooding (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hertford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Hertford since 1999, $305K in all, or 14.2 per 1,000 homes, more than 79% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (11).
Is Hertford 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 Perquimans County, 75% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 6.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hertford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hertford’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 Hertford?
By FEMA money that reached Hertford, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 1,730 households applied for aid, $1.5M approved, and $607K to the Town of Hertford for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 11 paid, $280K.
Is Hertford at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Hertford’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hertford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hertford’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.