West Selma Historic District · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn FEMA’s figures, Selma faces less hazard damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Selma gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns, #23 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2018.
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 Selma’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Selma 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 Selma’s grade
River and rain flooding is 72% of the building damage FEMA expects in Selma, and Selma’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 9% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #23 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Selma’s residents live in 4 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, Selma has less expected damage per building than 92% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.7M a year in losses across Selma: $851K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Selma flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2018
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Selma, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Eta3 claims · $151K
- Hurricane Florence1 claim · $3K
Selma isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Johnston County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Selma
Disasters that paid out in Selma itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Selma), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence48 households applied for aid$8K aid approved$43K to the Town of Selma for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $3K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew306 households applied for aid$383K aid approved$170K to the Town of Selma for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene6 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$11K to the Town of Selma for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding67 households applied for aid$261K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel15 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$3K to the Town of Selma for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$41K to the Town of Selma for repairs
Johnston 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 Selma after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Selma archive →Selma and its neighbors
Selma has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selma | A−less damage than 80% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Pine Level | A−less damage than 76% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Smithfield | B+less damage than 67% | river and rain flooding | 135 |
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 Selma 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 Selma
Is Selma at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Selma has lower expected damage per building than 80% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #23 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (72%) and hurricanes (9%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Selma flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Selma since 2018, $159K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Eta (3).
Is Selma 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 Johnston County, 36% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Selma?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Selma’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 Selma?
By FEMA money that reached Selma, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 306 households applied for aid, $383K approved, and $170K to the Town of Selma for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Eta: 3 paid, $151K.
Is Selma at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (72%), and Selma’s rate for it is lower than 67% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Selma.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Selma’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.