On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than Holly Ridge, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holly Ridge gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #282 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (85%), then river and rain flooding (11%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 stands out about Holly Ridge’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Holly Ridge 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 Holly Ridge’s grade
Hurricanes are 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Holly Ridge, and Holly Ridge’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− #282 of 290 in North Carolina; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Holly Ridge’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical North Carolina town has lower expected damage than 51% of U.S. towns; within the state, Holly Ridge has more expected damage per building than 97% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.1M a year in losses across Holly Ridge: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Holly Ridge flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 1996
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Holly Ridge, from FEMA’s records: 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence2 claims · $42K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $7K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $11K
Holly Ridge isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Onslow County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Holly Ridge
Disasters that paid out in Holly Ridge itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Holly Ridge), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence771 households applied for aid$402K aid approved$220K to the Town of Holly Ridge for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $42K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew14 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2011Hurricane Irene19 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$12K to the Town of Holly Ridge for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds18 households applied for aid$43K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Ophelia$4K to the Town of Holly Ridge for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel23 households applied for aid$29K aid approved$3K to the Town of Holly Ridge for repairs
Show all 8
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$37K to the Town of Holly Ridge for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $11K
- 1999Hurricane Dennis$6K to the Town of Holly Ridge for repairs
Onslow County has had 21 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Holly Ridge after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Holly Ridge archive →Get ready for what Holly Ridge 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 Holly Ridge
Is Holly Ridge at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Holly Ridge has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #282 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (85%) and river and rain flooding (11%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Holly Ridge flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Holly Ridge since 1996, $92K in all, or 2.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (2).
Is Holly Ridge 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 Onslow County, 73% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 6.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Holly Ridge?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Holly Ridge’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 Holly Ridge?
By FEMA money that reached Holly Ridge, Hurricane Florence (2018): 771 households applied for aid, $402K approved, and $220K to the Town of Holly Ridge for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 2 paid, $42K.
Is Holly Ridge at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Holly Ridge’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Holly Ridge.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Holly Ridge’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.