Raeford Historic District · Photo: Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Raeford faces less hazard damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, led by river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Raeford gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns, #41 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%), then hurricanes (27%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2016.
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 Raeford 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
Earthquakes
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 Raeford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 40% of the building damage FEMA expects in Raeford, and Raeford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 27% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #41 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Raeford’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, Raeford has less expected damage per building than 86% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Raeford: $1.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Raeford flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Raeford, from FEMA’s records: 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $5K
Raeford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Hoke County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Raeford
Disasters that paid out in Raeford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Raeford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene34 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2018Hurricane Florence1,155 households applied for aid$225K aid approved$157K to the City of Raeford for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew1,439 households applied for aid$421K aid approved$629K to the City of Raeford for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding82 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances72 households applied for aid$54K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$8K to the City of Raeford for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$28K to the City of Raeford for repairs
Hoke County has had 14 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 Raeford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Raeford archive →Raeford and its neighbors
Raeford 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raeford | B+less damage than 73% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Silver City | — | 592 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 Raeford 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.
- Drop, cover and hold on.
- Strap tall furniture and the water heater to the wall.
- Know how to shut off the gas.
- 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 Raeford
Is Raeford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Raeford has lower expected damage per building than 73% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #41 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (40%) and hurricanes (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Raeford flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Raeford since 2016, $5K in all, or 0.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 88% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (1).
Is Raeford 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 Hoke County, 42% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Raeford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Raeford’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 Raeford?
By FEMA money that reached Raeford, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 1,439 households applied for aid, $421K approved, and $629K to the City of Raeford for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 1 paid, $5K.
Is Raeford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (40%), and Raeford’s rate for it is lower than 92% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Raeford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Raeford’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.