More hazard damage per building is expected in Sharpsburg than in 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sharpsburg gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 13 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 Sharpsburg 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
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 Sharpsburg’s grade
River and rain flooding is 78% of the building damage FEMA expects in Sharpsburg, and Sharpsburg’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 13% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
C− higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Sharpsburg’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $767K a year in losses across Sharpsburg: $522K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Sharpsburg flood? Sometimes: 13 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Sharpsburg, from FEMA’s records: 16.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew4 claims · $44K
- Hurricane Floyd2 claims · $80K
- Hurricane Irene2 claims · $23K
Sharpsburg isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Nash County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Sharpsburg
Disasters that paid out in Sharpsburg itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Sharpsburg), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence3 households applied for aid$14K to the Town of Sharpsburg for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew58 households applied for aid$104K aid approved4 flood claims paid for it, $44K
- 2011Hurricane Irene25 households applied for aid$22K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $23K
- 2003Hurricane Isabel12 households applied for aid$16K aid approved
Nash County has had 22 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 Sharpsburg after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Sharpsburg archive →Get ready for what Sharpsburg 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.
- 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 Sharpsburg
Is Sharpsburg at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Sharpsburg has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (78%) and hurricanes (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Sharpsburg flood?
Flood insurance has paid 13 claims in Sharpsburg since 1999, $242K in all, or 16.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 81% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 4 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (4).
Is Sharpsburg 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 Nash County, 49% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Sharpsburg?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Sharpsburg’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 Sharpsburg?
By FEMA money that reached Sharpsburg, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 58 households applied for aid, $104K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 4 paid, $44K.
Is Sharpsburg at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (78%), and Sharpsburg’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Sharpsburg.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Sharpsburg’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.