Greene County Courthouse · Photo: Indy beetle · CC0FEMA puts Snow Hill’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 87% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Snow Hill gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (64%), then river and rain flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 18 claims here since 1988.
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 Snow Hill 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
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 Snow Hill’s grade
Hurricanes are 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Snow Hill, and Snow Hill’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 26% (lower than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
D higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Snow Hill’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.0M a year in losses across Snow Hill: $801K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Snow Hill flood? Sometimes: 18 flood claims since 1988
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Snow Hill, from FEMA’s records: 19.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew8 claims · $318K
- Hurricane Floyd7 claims · $372K
Snow Hill isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Greene County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Snow Hill
Disasters that paid out in Snow Hill itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Snow Hill), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence140 households applied for aid$35K aid approved$19K to the Town of Snow Hill for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew301 households applied for aid$283K aid approved8 flood claims paid for it, $318K
- 2011Hurricane Irene303 households applied for aid$145K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding196 households applied for aid$154K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel217 households applied for aid$199K aid approved
Greene County has had 20 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 Snow Hill after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Snow Hill archive →Get ready for what Snow Hill 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.
- 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 Snow Hill
Is Snow Hill at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Snow Hill has higher expected damage per building than 87% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (64%) and river and rain flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Snow Hill flood?
Flood insurance has paid 18 claims in Snow Hill since 1988, $710K in all, or 19.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 84% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (8).
Is Snow Hill 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 Greene County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Snow Hill?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Snow Hill’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 Snow Hill?
By FEMA money that reached Snow Hill, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 301 households applied for aid, $283K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 8 paid, $318K.
Is Snow Hill at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Snow Hill’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Snow Hill.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Snow Hill’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.