Southerland-Burnette House · Photo: Quincy Morgan · CC0More hazard damage per building is expected in Mount Olive than in 71% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Olive gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns, #206 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%), then hurricanes (40%). Flood insurance has paid 20 claims here since 1979.
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 Mount Olive 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 Mount Olive’s grade
River and rain flooding is 49% of the building damage FEMA expects in Mount Olive, and Mount Olive’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 40% (higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts).
C #206 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Mount Olive’s residents live in 4 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, Mount Olive has more expected damage per building than 71% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Mount Olive: $2.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Mount Olive flood? Sometimes: 20 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Mount Olive, from FEMA’s records: 10.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence4 claims · $238K
- Hurricane Matthew3 claims · $165K
- Hurricane Floyd3 claims · $16K
Mount Olive 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.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Mount Olive
Disasters that paid out in Mount Olive itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Mount Olive), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence515 households applied for aid$301K aid approved$1.0M to the Town of Mount Olive for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $238K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew554 households applied for aid$397K aid approved$451K to the Town of Mount Olive for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $165K
- 2011Hurricane Irene86 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$45K to the Town of Mount Olive for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel44 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$11K to the Town of Mount Olive for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$89K to the Town of Mount Olive for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $16K
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 Mount Olive after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Mount Olive archive →Get ready for what Mount Olive 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 Mount Olive
Is Mount Olive at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Mount Olive has higher expected damage per building than 71% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk, #206 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (49%) and hurricanes (40%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Mount Olive flood?
Flood insurance has paid 20 claims in Mount Olive since 1979, $493K in all, or 10.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 74% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (4).
Is Mount Olive 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 Mount Olive?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Mount Olive’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 Mount Olive?
By FEMA money that reached Mount Olive, Hurricane Florence (2018): 515 households applied for aid, $301K approved, and $1.0M to the Town of Mount Olive for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 4 paid, $238K.
Is Mount Olive at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (49%), and Mount Olive’s rate for it is higher than 53% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Mount Olive.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Mount Olive’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.