Photo: rjones0856 from USA · CC BY 2.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in North Topsail Beach than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Topsail Beach gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (61%), then coastal flooding (33%). Flood insurance has paid 1,073 claims here since 1986.
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 North Topsail Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What North Topsail Beach faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
River and rain flooding
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 North Topsail Beach’s grade
Hurricanes are 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in North Topsail Beach, and North Topsail Beach’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 33%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of North Topsail Beach’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.5M a year in losses across North Topsail Beach: $5.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does North Topsail Beach flood? Yes: 1,073 flood claims since 1986
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in North Topsail Beach, from FEMA’s records: 385.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran294 claims · $6.7M
- Hurricane Floyd257 claims · $2.4M
- Hurricane Florence172 claims · $6.1M
North Topsail Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Onslow County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to North Topsail Beach
Disasters that paid out in North Topsail Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of North Topsail Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight$3.5M to the Town of North Topsail Beach for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2022Hurricane Ian$39K to the Town of North Topsail Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$1.5M to the Town of North Topsail Beach for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence193 households applied for aid$76K aid approved$23.1M to the Town of North Topsail Beach for repairs172 flood claims paid for it, $6.1M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew4 households applied for aid$750 aid approved$4.8M to the Town of North Topsail Beach for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene$25K to the Town of North Topsail Beach for repairs13 flood claims paid that year
Show all 11
- 2005Hurricane Ophelia$55K to the Town of North Topsail Beach for repairs51 flood claims paid for it, $2.2M
- 2005Hurricane Ophelia$1.2M to the Town of North Topsail Beach for repairs51 flood claims paid for it, $2.2M
- 2003Hurricane Isabel$11K to the Town of North Topsail Beach for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$4.4M to the Town of North Topsail Beach for repairs257 flood claims paid for it, $2.4M
- 1999Hurricane Dennis$6K to the Town of North Topsail Beach for repairs
Onslow 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 North Topsail Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the North Topsail Beach archive →North Topsail Beach and its neighbors
North Topsail Beach is 3rd of the 3 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surf City | D−among the highest damage | hurricanes | 1,490 |
| Sneads Ferry | D−among the highest damage | hurricanes | 6 |
| North Topsail Beach | D−among the highest damage | hurricanes | 1,073 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what North Topsail Beach faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- 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.
- North Topsail Beach residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in North Topsail Beach
Is North Topsail Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, North Topsail Beach has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (61%) and coastal flooding (33%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does North Topsail Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,073 claims in North Topsail Beach since 1986, $22.0M in all, or 385.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 199 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (294).
Is North Topsail Beach 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 Onslow County, 73% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 6.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in North Topsail Beach?
North Topsail Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% 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 North Topsail Beach?
By FEMA money that reached North Topsail Beach, Hurricane Florence (2018): 193 households applied for aid, $76K approved, and $23.1M to the Town of North Topsail Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 294 paid, $6.7M.
Is North Topsail Beach at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and North Topsail Beach’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in North Topsail Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where North Topsail Beach’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.