Watson-Sanders House · Photo: LikeGrantTookRichmond · CC BY-SA 3.0Less hazard damage per building is expected in Smithfield than in 67% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smithfield gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns, #71 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%). Flood insurance has paid 135 claims here since 1980.
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 Smithfield’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Smithfield 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 Smithfield’s grade
River and rain flooding is 75% of the building damage FEMA expects in Smithfield, and Smithfield’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 8% (higher than 73% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #71 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Smithfield’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, Smithfield has less expected damage per building than 76% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across Smithfield: $2.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Smithfield flood? Yes: 135 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Smithfield, from FEMA’s records: 24.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew56 claims · $4.5M
- Hurricane Floyd19 claims · $804K
- Hurricane Fran16 claims · $257K
Smithfield 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.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Smithfield
Disasters that paid out in Smithfield itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Smithfield), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence72 households applied for aid$14K aid approved$103K to the Town of Smithfield for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $20K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew436 households applied for aid$645K aid approved$609K to the Town of Smithfield for repairs56 flood claims paid for it, $4.5M
- 2011Hurricane Irene12 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$25K to the Town of Smithfield for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding57 households applied for aid$56K aid approved$66K to the Town of Smithfield for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel15 households applied for aid$10K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$83K to the Town of Smithfield for repairs
Show all 8
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$3K to the Town of Smithfield for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$424K to the Town of Smithfield for repairs19 flood claims paid for it, $804K
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 Smithfield after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Smithfield archive →Smithfield and its neighbors
Smithfield is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. 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 |
| 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 Smithfield 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 Smithfield
Is Smithfield at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Smithfield has lower expected damage per building than 67% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #71 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (75%) and hurricanes (8%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Smithfield flood?
Flood insurance has paid 135 claims in Smithfield since 1980, $7.5M in all, or 24.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 86% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 20 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (56).
Is Smithfield 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 Smithfield?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Smithfield’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 Smithfield?
By FEMA money that reached Smithfield, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 436 households applied for aid, $645K approved, and $609K to the Town of Smithfield for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 56 paid, $4.5M.
Is Smithfield at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (75%), and Smithfield’s rate for it is lower than 50% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Smithfield.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Smithfield’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.