CSS NEUSE (Ironclad Gunboat) · Photo: Katyrw · CC BY-SA 4.0More hazard damage per building is expected in Kinston than in 82% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kinston gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns, #226 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%), then hurricanes (41%). Flood insurance has paid 530 claims here since 1978.
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 Kinston’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Kinston 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 Kinston’s grade
River and rain flooding is 48% of the building damage FEMA expects in Kinston, and Kinston’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 41%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C− #226 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Kinston’s residents live in 12 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, Kinston has more expected damage per building than 78% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $12.6M a year in losses across Kinston: $9.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Kinston flood? Yes: 530 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Kinston, from FEMA’s records: 50.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd190 claims · $7.4M
- Hurricane Matthew163 claims · $20.3M
- Hurricane Florence90 claims · $8.3M
Kinston is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Lenoir County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Kinston
Disasters that paid out in Kinston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Kinston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence1,154 households applied for aid$916K aid approved90 flood claims paid for it, $8.3M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew2,481 households applied for aid$3.5M aid approved163 flood claims paid for it, $20.3M
- 2011Hurricane Irene1,266 households applied for aid$823K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel276 households applied for aid$206K aid approved
Lenoir 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 Kinston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Kinston archive →Get ready for what Kinston 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.
- Kinston residents get 20% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Kinston
Is Kinston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Kinston has higher expected damage per building than 82% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #226 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (48%) and hurricanes (41%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Kinston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 530 claims in Kinston since 1978, $36.8M in all, or 50.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 92% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 87 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (190).
Is Kinston 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 Lenoir County, 18% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Kinston?
Kinston is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 6), which takes 20% 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 Kinston?
By FEMA money that reached Kinston, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 2,481 households applied for aid, $3.5M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 190 paid, $7.4M.
Is Kinston at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (48%), and Kinston’s rate for it is higher than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Kinston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Kinston’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.