FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Mar-Mac than in 76% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mar-Mac gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns, #218 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%), then hurricanes (36%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Mar-Mac 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 Mar-Mac’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mar-Mac, and Mar-Mac’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 36% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
C− #218 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mar-Mac’s residents live in 2 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, Mar-Mac has more expected damage per building than 75% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.9M a year in losses across Mar-Mac: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mar-Mac flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Mar-Mac. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Mar-Mac isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wayne County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Mar-Mac
Disasters that paid out in Mar-Mac itself (aid to households or repair grants to Mar-Mac), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Hurricane Matthew3 households applied for aid$7K aid approved
Wayne 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 Mar-Mac after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mar-Mac archive →Get ready for what Mar-Mac 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 Mar-Mac
Is Mar-Mac at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mar-Mac has higher expected damage per building than 76% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk, #218 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (56%) and hurricanes (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Mar-Mac 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 Wayne County, 16% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Mar-Mac?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mar-Mac’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 Mar-Mac?
By FEMA money that reached Mar-Mac, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 3 households applied for aid, $7K approved.
Is Mar-Mac at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Mar-Mac’s rate for it is higher than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mar-Mac.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mar-Mac’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.