Photo: Gerry Dincher from Hope Mills, NC · CC BY-SA 2.0On FEMA’s figures, Southern Pines faces less hazard damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southern Pines gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns, #45 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then hurricanes (19%). Flood insurance has paid 8 claims here since 2016.
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 Southern Pines 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 Southern Pines’ grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Southern Pines, and Southern Pines’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 3%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
B+ #45 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Southern Pines’ residents live in 10 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, Southern Pines has less expected damage per building than 85% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.0M a year in losses across Southern Pines: $3.8M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Southern Pines flood? Rarely: 8 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Southern Pines, from FEMA’s records: 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew3 claims · $42K
- The 2025 July TS Chantal2 claims · $271K
- Hurricane Florence2 claims · $27K
Southern Pines isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Moore County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Southern Pines
Disasters that paid out in Southern Pines itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Southern Pines), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Tropical Depression Chantal$191K to the Town of Southern Pines for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Florence83 households applied for aid$46K aid approved$137K to the Town of Southern Pines for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $27K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew40 households applied for aid$13K aid approved$72K to the Town of Southern Pines for repairs3 flood claims paid for it, $42K
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$243K to the Town of Southern Pines for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$861K to the Town of Southern Pines for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$2K to the Town of Southern Pines for repairs
Moore County has had 18 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 Southern Pines after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Southern Pines archive →Southern Pines and its neighbors
Southern Pines is 2nd of the 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carthage | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Southern Pines | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Aberdeen | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Pinehurst | Bless damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
| Whispering Pines | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
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 Southern Pines 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 Southern Pines
Is Southern Pines at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southern Pines has lower expected damage per building than 72% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #45 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and hurricanes (19%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Southern Pines flood?
Flood insurance has paid 8 claims in Southern Pines since 2016, $352K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (3).
Is Southern Pines 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 Moore County, 51% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Southern Pines?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Southern Pines’ 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 Southern Pines?
By FEMA money that reached Southern Pines, Severe Winter Storm (2000): $861K to the Town of Southern Pines for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 3 paid, $42K.
Is Southern Pines at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Southern Pines’ rate for it is lower than 72% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Southern Pines.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Southern Pines’ 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.