On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect more hazard damage per building than River Bend, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, River Bend gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #286 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (72%), then river and rain flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 752 claims here since 1982.
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 River Bend’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What River Bend 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 River Bend’s grade
Hurricanes are 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in River Bend, and River Bend’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 26% (higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts).
D− #286 of 290 in North Carolina; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
River Bend’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, River Bend has more expected damage per building than 99% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.3M a year in losses across River Bend: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does River Bend flood? Yes: 752 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in River Bend, from FEMA’s records: 469.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence364 claims · $38.1M
- Hurricane Irene154 claims · $2.5M
- Hurricane Fran138 claims · $1.1M
River Bend is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Craven County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to River Bend
Disasters that paid out in River Bend itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of River Bend), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Isaias$18K to the Town of River Bend for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$16K to the Town of River Bend for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Florence1 households applied for aid$772K to the Town of River Bend for repairs364 flood claims paid for it, $38.1M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$13K to the Town of River Bend for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene$138K to the Town of River Bend for repairs154 flood claims paid for it, $2.5M
- 2005Hurricane Ophelia$17K to the Town of River Bend for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $71K
Show all 10
- 2005Hurricane Ophelia$2K to the Town of River Bend for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $71K
- 2003Hurricane Isabel$38K to the Town of River Bend for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$19K to the Town of River Bend for repairs43 flood claims paid for it, $220K
- 1999Hurricane Dennis$6K to the Town of River Bend for repairs19 flood claims paid for it, $160K
Craven County has had 22 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 River Bend after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the River Bend archive →Get ready for what River Bend 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.
- River Bend residents get 10% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in River Bend
Is River Bend at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, River Bend has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #286 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (72%) and river and rain flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does River Bend flood?
Flood insurance has paid 752 claims in River Bend since 1982, $42.4M in all, or 469.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 154 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (364).
Is River Bend 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 Craven County, 61% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 11.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in River Bend?
River Bend is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 8), which takes 10% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in River Bend?
By FEMA money that reached River Bend, Hurricane Florence (2018): 1 households applied for aid, $0 approved, and $772K to the Town of River Bend for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 364 paid, $38.1M.
Is River Bend at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and River Bend’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in River Bend.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where River Bend’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.