Photo: Leah Rucker · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Hillsborough faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hillsborough gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #151 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%). Flood insurance has paid 9 claims here since 1996.
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 Hillsborough 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
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 Hillsborough’s grade
River and rain flooding is 84% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hillsborough, and Hillsborough’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 6% (higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #151 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Hillsborough’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, Hillsborough has more expected damage per building than 52% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Hillsborough: $2.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hillsborough flood? Rarely: 9 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hillsborough, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025 July TS Chantal5 claims · $789K
- Hurricane Fran2 claims · $6K
Hillsborough isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Orange County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hillsborough
Disasters that paid out in Hillsborough itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Hillsborough), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Tropical Depression Chantal$1.2M to the Town of Hillsborough for repairs6 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Florence17 households applied for aid$3K aid approved$25K to the Town of Hillsborough for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew1 households applied for aid$500 aid approved
- 2014Severe Winter Storm$127K to the Town of Hillsborough for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$147K to the Town of Hillsborough for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$3K to the Town of Hillsborough for repairs
Orange 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 Hillsborough after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hillsborough archive →Get ready for what Hillsborough 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.
- 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 Hillsborough
Is Hillsborough at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hillsborough has higher expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #151 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (84%) and hurricanes (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Hillsborough flood?
Flood insurance has paid 9 claims in Hillsborough since 1996, $805K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from 2025 July TS Chantal (5).
Is Hillsborough 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 Orange County, 50% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hillsborough?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hillsborough’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 Hillsborough?
By FEMA money that reached Hillsborough, Tropical Depression Chantal (2025): $1.2M to the Town of Hillsborough for repairs. By flood claims, 2025 July TS Chantal: 5 paid, $789K.
Is Hillsborough at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (84%), and Hillsborough’s rate for it is higher than 68% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hillsborough.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hillsborough’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.