On FEMA’s figures, Northwest faces more hazard damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northwest gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (75%), then river and rain flooding (19%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2018.
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 Northwest faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
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 Northwest’s grade
Hurricanes are 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Northwest, and Northwest’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 2%, at a rate in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
D− higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Northwest’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $501K a year in losses across Northwest: $402K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Northwest flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Northwest, from FEMA’s records: 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence1 claim · $4K
Northwest isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brunswick County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Northwest
Disasters that paid out in Northwest itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Northwest), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence10 households applied for aid$12K aid approved$40K to the City of Northwest for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $4K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$375 to the City of Northwest for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Ophelia$375 to the City of Northwest for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$15K to the City of Northwest for repairs
Brunswick County has had 25 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Brunswick County, 2025–2025.
Old photos of Northwest after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Northwest archive →Northwest and its neighbors
Northwest has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest | D−more damage than 97% | hurricanes | 1 |
| Sandy Creek | — | 300 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Northwest 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.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Northwest
Is Northwest at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Northwest has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (75%) and river and rain flooding (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Northwest flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Northwest since 2018, $4K in all, or 2.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 61% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (1).
Is Northwest 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 Brunswick County, 78% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 21.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Northwest?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Northwest’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 Northwest?
By FEMA money that reached Northwest, Hurricane Florence (2018): 10 households applied for aid, $12K approved, and $40K to the City of Northwest for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 1 paid, $4K.
Is Northwest at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Northwest’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Northwest.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Northwest’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.