Scotland Neck Historic District · Photo: Indy beetle · CC0FEMA puts Scotland Neck’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 62% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scotland Neck gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then hurricanes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2016.
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 Scotland Neck 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 Scotland Neck’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Scotland Neck, and Scotland Neck’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 23% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Scotland Neck’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $850K a year in losses across Scotland Neck: $522K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Scotland Neck flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Scotland Neck, from FEMA’s records: 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $85K
Scotland Neck 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 Scotland Neck
Disasters that paid out in Scotland Neck itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Scotland Neck), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Hurricane Matthew130 households applied for aid$93K aid approved$47K to the Town of Scotland Neck for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $85K
- 2011Hurricane Irene380 households applied for aid$385K aid approved$175K to the Town of Scotland Neck for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding10 households applied for aid$886 aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel647 households applied for aid$559K aid approved$107K to the Town of Scotland Neck for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$18K to the Town of Scotland Neck for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$2K to the Town of Scotland Neck for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$438K to the Town of Scotland Neck for repairs
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 Scotland Neck after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Scotland Neck archive →Get ready for what Scotland Neck 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 Scotland Neck
Is Scotland Neck at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Scotland Neck has lower expected damage per building than 62% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and hurricanes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Scotland Neck flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Scotland Neck since 2016, $85K in all, or 0.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 83% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (1).
Is Scotland Neck 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 Scotland Neck?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Scotland Neck’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 Scotland Neck?
By FEMA money that reached Scotland Neck, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 647 households applied for aid, $559K approved, and $107K to the Town of Scotland Neck for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 1 paid, $85K.
Is Scotland Neck at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Scotland Neck’s rate for it is lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Scotland Neck.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Scotland Neck’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.