Boyette Slave House · Photo: DanTD · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Kenly faces less hazard damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kenly gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%), then hurricanes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2016.
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 Kenly’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kenly 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
Tornadoes
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 Kenly’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kenly, and Kenly’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 10% (higher than 80% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kenly’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $526K a year in losses across Kenly: $314K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kenly flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kenly, from FEMA’s records: 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Eta2 claims · $72K
- Hurricane Florence1 claim · $9K
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $46K
Kenly isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Johnston County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kenly
Disasters that paid out in Kenly itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Kenly), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence39 households applied for aid$16K aid approved$61K to the Town of Kenly for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $9K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew167 households applied for aid$227K aid approved$225K to the Town of Kenly for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $46K
- 2011Hurricane Irene13 households applied for aid$27K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding30 households applied for aid$36K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel17 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$2K to the Town of Kenly for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$56K to the Town of Kenly for repairs
Johnston County has had 21 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 Kenly after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kenly archive →Get ready for what Kenly 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.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- 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 Kenly
Is Kenly at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kenly has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hurricanes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kenly flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Kenly since 2016, $159K in all, or 5.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 62% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Eta (2).
Is Kenly 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 Johnston County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kenly?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Kenly’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 Kenly?
By FEMA money that reached Kenly, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 167 households applied for aid, $227K approved, and $225K to the Town of Kenly for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Eta: 2 paid, $72K.
Is Kenly at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Kenly’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kenly.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kenly’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.