Photo: Gerry Dincher from Hope Mills, NC · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Laurinburg as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laurinburg gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns, #159 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%), then hurricanes (21%). Flood insurance has paid 14 claims here since 2009.
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 Laurinburg 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
Earthquakes
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 Laurinburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 51% of the building damage FEMA expects in Laurinburg, and Laurinburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 21% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #159 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Laurinburg’s residents live in 5 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, Laurinburg has more expected damage per building than 55% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.1M a year in losses across Laurinburg: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Laurinburg flood? Sometimes: 14 flood claims since 2009
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Laurinburg, from FEMA’s records: 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence10 claims · $275K
- Hurricane Debby2 claims · $114K
Laurinburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Scotland County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Laurinburg
Disasters that paid out in Laurinburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Laurinburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene13 households applied for aid$2K aid approved2 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Ian$31K to the City of Laurinburg for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence1,970 households applied for aid$1.9M aid approved$1.2M to the City of Laurinburg for repairs10 flood claims paid for it, $275K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew400 households applied for aid$81K aid approved$808K to the City of Laurinburg for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances149 households applied for aid$106K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$4K to the City of Laurinburg for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$61K to the City of Laurinburg for repairs
Scotland County has had 14 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 Laurinburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Laurinburg archive →Get ready for what Laurinburg 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Laurinburg
Is Laurinburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Laurinburg has higher expected damage per building than 53% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #159 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (51%) and hurricanes (21%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Laurinburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 14 claims in Laurinburg since 2009, $438K in all, or 2.2 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 60% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (10).
Is Laurinburg 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 Scotland County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Laurinburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Laurinburg’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 Laurinburg?
By FEMA money that reached Laurinburg, Hurricane Florence (2018): 1,970 households applied for aid, $1.9M approved, and $1.2M to the City of Laurinburg for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 10 paid, $275K.
Is Laurinburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (51%), and Laurinburg’s rate for it is lower than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Laurinburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Laurinburg’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.