Photo: Gerry Dincher · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Pittsboro faces less hazard damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pittsboro gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns, #79 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%), then hurricanes (12%). Flood insurance has paid 12 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 stands out about Pittsboro’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Pittsboro 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 Pittsboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pittsboro, and Pittsboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 12% (higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts).
B #79 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Pittsboro’s residents live in 3 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, Pittsboro has less expected damage per building than 73% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.3M a year in losses across Pittsboro: $1.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pittsboro flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pittsboro, from FEMA’s records: 6.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The 2025 July TS Chantal8 claims · $457K
- Hurricane Florence3 claims · $128K
Pittsboro isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Chatham County.11 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pittsboro
Disasters that paid out in Pittsboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Pittsboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding$26K to the Town of Pittsboro for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence21 households applied for aid$9K aid approved$59K to the Town of Pittsboro for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $128K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew4 households applied for aid$27K to the Town of Pittsboro for repairs
- 2011Flooding$52K to the Town of Pittsboro for repairs
- 2010Flooding$28K to the Town of Pittsboro for repairs
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding$24K to the Town of Pittsboro for repairs
Show all 11
- 2007Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$10K to the Town of Pittsboro for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$41K to the Town of Pittsboro for repairs
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams$3K to the Town of Pittsboro for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$4K to the Town of Pittsboro for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$3K to the Town of Pittsboro for repairs
Chatham County has had 17 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 Pittsboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pittsboro archive →Get ready for what Pittsboro 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 Pittsboro
Is Pittsboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pittsboro has lower expected damage per building than 65% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #79 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hurricanes (12%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Pittsboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Pittsboro since 2018, $604K in all, or 6.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from 2025 July TS Chantal (8).
Is Pittsboro 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 Chatham County, 45% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pittsboro?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pittsboro’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 Pittsboro?
By FEMA money that reached Pittsboro, Hurricane Florence (2018): 21 households applied for aid, $9K approved, and $59K to the Town of Pittsboro for repairs. By flood claims, 2025 July TS Chantal: 8 paid, $457K.
Is Pittsboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Pittsboro’s rate for it is lower than 51% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pittsboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pittsboro’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.