Photo: Piperpet · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Shallotte than in 96% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shallotte gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns, #242 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (79%), then river and rain flooding (15%). Flood insurance has paid 26 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 stands out about Shallotte’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Shallotte 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 Shallotte’s grade
Hurricanes are 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Shallotte, and Shallotte’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts. Wildfire adds 2%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #242 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Shallotte’s residents live in 7 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, Shallotte has more expected damage per building than 83% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.8M a year in losses across Shallotte: $3.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Shallotte flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Shallotte, from FEMA’s records: 10.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence11 claims · $549K
- Hurricane Floyd4 claims · $560K
- Hurricane Debby1 claim · $35K
Shallotte isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Brunswick County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Shallotte
Disasters that paid out in Shallotte itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Shallotte), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$22K to the Town of Shallotte for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence702 households applied for aid$246K aid approved$324K to the Town of Shallotte for repairs11 flood claims paid for it, $549K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew68 households applied for aid$34K aid approved$66K to the Town of Shallotte for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $52K
- 2011Hurricane Irene10 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds109 households applied for aid$66K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2008Tropical Storm Hanna$6K to the Town of Shallotte for repairs
Show all 8
- 2003Hurricane Isabel17 households applied for aid$15K aid approved$847 to the Town of Shallotte for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$119K to the Town of Shallotte for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $560K
Brunswick County has had 25 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Brunswick County, 2025–2025.
Old photos of Shallotte after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Shallotte archive →Get ready for what Shallotte 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 Shallotte
Is Shallotte at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Shallotte has higher expected damage per building than 96% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #242 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (79%) and river and rain flooding (15%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Shallotte flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Shallotte since 1999, $1.3M in all, or 10.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 75% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 3 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (11).
Is Shallotte 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 Brunswick County, 78% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 21.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Shallotte?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Shallotte’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 Shallotte?
By FEMA money that reached Shallotte, Hurricane Florence (2018): 702 households applied for aid, $246K approved, and $324K to the Town of Shallotte for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 11 paid, $549K.
Is Shallotte at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Shallotte’s rate for it is in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Shallotte.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Shallotte’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.