Rockingham County Courthouse · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Rockingham as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rockingham gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns, #183 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%), then hurricanes (14%). Flood insurance has paid 11 claims here since 2008.
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 Rockingham 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 Rockingham’s grade
River and rain flooding is 66% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rockingham, and Rockingham’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #183 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rockingham’s residents live in 6 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, Rockingham has more expected damage per building than 63% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Rockingham: $2.6M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rockingham flood? Sometimes: 11 flood claims since 2008
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rockingham, from FEMA’s records: 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Hanna3 claims · $46K
- Hurricane Florence2 claims · $32K
- Hurricane Matthew2 claims · $62K
Rockingham isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Richmond County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rockingham
Disasters that paid out in Rockingham itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Rockingham), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence663 households applied for aid$207K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $32K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew109 households applied for aid$51K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $62K
Richmond County has had 15 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 Rockingham after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rockingham archive →Rockingham and its neighbors
Rockingham is 2nd of the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Rockingham | B−more damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Rockingham | C+more damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 11 |
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 Rockingham 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 Rockingham
Is Rockingham at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rockingham has higher expected damage per building than 59% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #183 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (66%) and hurricanes (14%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rockingham flood?
Flood insurance has paid 11 claims in Rockingham since 2008, $166K in all, or 2.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Hanna (3).
Is Rockingham 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 Richmond County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rockingham?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rockingham’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 Rockingham?
By FEMA money that reached Rockingham, Hurricane Florence (2018): 663 households applied for aid, $207K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Hanna: 3 paid, $46K.
Is Rockingham at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (66%), and Rockingham’s rate for it is higher than 59% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rockingham.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rockingham’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.