First Christian Church · Photo: RobersonvilleHistoryBuff · Public domainFEMA puts Robersonville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Robersonville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (62%), then river and rain flooding (30%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1999.
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 Robersonville 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 Robersonville’s grade
Hurricanes are 62% of the building damage FEMA expects in Robersonville, and Robersonville’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 30% (lower than 60% of U.S. census tracts).
D higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Robersonville’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.2M a year in losses across Robersonville: $938K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Robersonville flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Robersonville, from FEMA’s records: 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $27K
- Hurricane Irene1 claim · $6K
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $7K
Robersonville isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Martin County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Robersonville
Disasters that paid out in Robersonville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Robersonville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Hurricane Matthew42 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$55K to the Town of Robersonville for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene176 households applied for aid$58K aid approved$116K to the Town of Robersonville for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds15 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel155 households applied for aid$125K aid approved$53K to the Town of Robersonville for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $7K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$134K to the Town of Robersonville for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $27K
Martin 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 Robersonville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Robersonville archive →Get ready for what Robersonville 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Robersonville
Is Robersonville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Robersonville has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (62%) and river and rain flooding (30%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Robersonville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Robersonville since 1999, $40K in all, or 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (1).
Is Robersonville 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 Martin County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Robersonville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Robersonville’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 Robersonville?
By FEMA money that reached Robersonville, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 155 households applied for aid, $125K approved, and $53K to the Town of Robersonville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 1 paid, $27K.
Is Robersonville at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (62%), and Robersonville’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Robersonville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Robersonville’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.