Roanoke Canal · Photo: JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D. · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Roanoke Rapids as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roanoke Rapids gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #108 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then hurricanes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 30 claims here since 1989.
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 Roanoke Rapids’ natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Roanoke Rapids 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 Roanoke Rapids’ grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Roanoke Rapids, and Roanoke Rapids’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 20% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B #108 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Roanoke Rapids’ residents live in 8 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, Roanoke Rapids has less expected damage per building than 63% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.0M a year in losses across Roanoke Rapids: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Roanoke Rapids flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Roanoke Rapids, from FEMA’s records: 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd15 claims · $299K
- Hurricane Isabel2 claims · $5K
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $7K
Roanoke Rapids isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Halifax County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Roanoke Rapids
Disasters that paid out in Roanoke Rapids itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Roanoke Rapids), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Hurricane Matthew113 households applied for aid$56K aid approved$22K to the City of Roanoke Rapids for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
- 2011Hurricane Irene1,232 households applied for aid$541K aid approved$810K to the City of Roanoke Rapids for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding234 households applied for aid$112K aid approved$72K to the City of Roanoke Rapids for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel1,406 households applied for aid$928K aid approved$339K to the City of Roanoke Rapids for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $5K
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$132K to the City of Roanoke Rapids for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$13K to the City of Roanoke Rapids for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$722K to the City of Roanoke Rapids for repairs15 flood claims paid for it, $299K
Halifax County has had 21 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 Roanoke Rapids after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Roanoke Rapids archive →Roanoke Rapids and its neighbors
Roanoke Rapids is 2nd 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weldon | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Roanoke Rapids | Bless damage than 58% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| South Rosemary | B−more damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 15 |
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 Roanoke Rapids 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 Roanoke Rapids
Is Roanoke Rapids at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Roanoke Rapids has lower expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk, #108 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and hurricanes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Roanoke Rapids flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Roanoke Rapids since 1989, $456K in all, or 4.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 57% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (15).
Is Roanoke Rapids 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 Halifax County, 10% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Roanoke Rapids?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Roanoke Rapids’ 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 Roanoke Rapids?
By FEMA money that reached Roanoke Rapids, Hurricane Irene (2011): 1,232 households applied for aid, $541K approved, and $810K to the City of Roanoke Rapids for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 15 paid, $299K.
Is Roanoke Rapids at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Roanoke Rapids’ rate for it is lower than 56% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Roanoke Rapids.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Roanoke Rapids’ 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.