Photo: Leonard J. DeFrancisci · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Pinehurst than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pinehurst gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #84 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then hurricanes (17%). Flood insurance has paid 30 claims here since 1998.
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 Pinehurst’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pinehurst 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
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 Pinehurst’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pinehurst, and Pinehurst’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B #84 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pinehurst’s residents live in 10 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, Pinehurst has less expected damage per building than 71% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.5M a year in losses across Pinehurst: $5.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pinehurst flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1998
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pinehurst, from FEMA’s records: 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence9 claims · $120K
- The 2025 July TS Chantal9 claims · $400K
- Hurricane Matthew4 claims · $184K
Pinehurst isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Moore County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pinehurst
Disasters that paid out in Pinehurst itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Pinehurst), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Tropical Depression Chantal$45K to the Village of Pinehurst for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Florence44 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$253K to the Village of Pinehurst for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $120K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew20 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$64K to the Village of Pinehurst for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $184K
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$70K to the Village of Pinehurst for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$755K to the Village of Pinehurst for repairs
Moore County has had 18 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.
Old photos of Pinehurst after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pinehurst archive →Pinehurst and its neighbors
Pinehurst 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Pines | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Aberdeen | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Pinehurst | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Taylortown | — | 764 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 Pinehurst 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.
- 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 Pinehurst
Is Pinehurst at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pinehurst has lower expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #84 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and hurricanes (17%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pinehurst flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Pinehurst since 1998, $898K in all, or 3.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 51% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 7 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (9).
Is Pinehurst 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 Moore County, 51% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pinehurst?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pinehurst’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 Pinehurst?
By FEMA money that reached Pinehurst, Severe Winter Storm (2000): $755K to the Village of Pinehurst for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 9 paid, $120K.
Is Pinehurst at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Pinehurst’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pinehurst.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pinehurst’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.