Photo: TownofPembrokeNC · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Pembroke faces more hazard damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, led by hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pembroke gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns, #193 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (43%), then river and rain flooding (33%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims 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 Pembroke 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
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
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 Pembroke’s grade
Hurricanes are 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pembroke, and Pembroke’s rate of hurricanes damage is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 4%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #193 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pembroke’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, Pembroke has more expected damage per building than 66% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.4M a year in losses across Pembroke: $965K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pembroke flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pembroke, from FEMA’s records: 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence3 claims · $256K
- Hurricane Debby1 claim · $25K
Pembroke isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Robeson County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pembroke
Disasters that paid out in Pembroke itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Pembroke), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence892 households applied for aid$622K aid approved$129K to the Town of Pembroke for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $256K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew1,521 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$163K to the Town of Pembroke for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding356 households applied for aid$135K aid approved$11K to the Town of Pembroke for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances208 households applied for aid$207K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel46 households applied for aid$45K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$106K to the Town of Pembroke for repairs
Robeson County has had 18 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 Pembroke after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pembroke archive →Get ready for what Pembroke 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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.
- 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 Pembroke
Is Pembroke at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pembroke has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #193 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (43%) and river and rain flooding (33%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pembroke flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Pembroke since 2018, $284K in all, or 3.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 54% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (3).
Is Pembroke 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 Robeson County, 24% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pembroke?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pembroke’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 Pembroke?
By FEMA money that reached Pembroke, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 1,521 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $163K to the Town of Pembroke for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 3 paid, $256K.
Is Pembroke at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Pembroke’s rate for it is higher than 90% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pembroke.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pembroke’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.