Storms, floods and disasters in Simpson
Simpson isn’t graded for hazard risk: Simpson has 432 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 1999.
What Simpson 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.
Does Simpson flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Simpson, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Florence1 claim · $8K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $11K
Simpson isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pitt County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Simpson
Disasters that paid out in Simpson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Simpson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$6K to the Village of Simpson for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene14 households applied for aid$4K aid approved$26K to the Village of Simpson for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel3 households applied for aid$2K aid approved$5K to the Village of Simpson for repairs
Pitt County has had 22 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 Simpson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Simpson archive →Get ready for what Simpson 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 Simpson
Does Simpson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Simpson since 1999, $19K in all. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (1).
Is Simpson 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 Pitt County, 34% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Simpson?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Simpson’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 Simpson?
By FEMA money that reached Simpson, Hurricane Irene (2011): 14 households applied for aid, $4K approved, and $26K to the Village of Simpson for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 1 paid, $8K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Simpson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Simpson’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.