More hazard damage per building is expected in Rose Hill than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rose Hill gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (76%), then river and rain flooding (17%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2024.
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 Rose Hill 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 Rose Hill’s grade
Hurricanes are 76% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rose Hill, and Rose Hill’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 17% (lower than 77% of U.S. census tracts).
D higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Rose Hill’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 Rose Hill: $967K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rose Hill flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2024
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rose Hill, from FEMA’s records: 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene1 claim · $15K
Rose Hill isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Duplin County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Rose Hill
Disasters that paid out in Rose Hill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Rose Hill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence409 households applied for aid$321K aid approved$73K to the Town of Rose Hill for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew192 households applied for aid$152K aid approved$40K to the Town of Rose Hill for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene88 households applied for aid$64K aid approved$9K to the Town of Rose Hill for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding3 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel128 households applied for aid$68K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$39K to the Town of Rose Hill for repairs
Duplin County has had 19 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 Rose Hill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rose Hill archive →Get ready for what Rose Hill 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 Rose Hill
Is Rose Hill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rose Hill has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (76%) and river and rain flooding (17%). 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 Rose Hill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Rose Hill since 2024, $15K in all, or 1.6 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 67% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (1).
Is Rose Hill 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 Duplin County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Rose Hill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rose Hill’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 Rose Hill?
By FEMA money that reached Rose Hill, Hurricane Florence (2018): 409 households applied for aid, $321K approved, and $73K to the Town of Rose Hill for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 1 paid, $15K.
Is Rose Hill at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (76%), and Rose Hill’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rose Hill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rose Hill’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.