Photo: DiscoA340 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA puts Southport’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southport gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns, #253 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (82%), then river and rain flooding (13%). Flood insurance has paid 148 claims here since 1981.
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 Southport’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Southport 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
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 Southport’s grade
Hurricanes are 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Southport, and Southport’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #253 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Southport’s residents live in 3 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, Southport has more expected damage per building than 87% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.8M a year in losses across Southport: $4.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Southport flood? Yes: 148 flood claims since 1981
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Southport, from FEMA’s records: 59.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence50 claims · $1.9M
- Tropical Cyclone Eight45 claims · $2.5M
- Hurricane Isaias14 claims · $675K
Southport is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Brunswick County.14 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Southport
Disasters that paid out in Southport itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Southport), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight$368K to the City of Southport for repairs
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby$28K to the City of Southport for repairs
- 2022Hurricane Ian$63K to the City of Southport for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Hurricane Isaias$1.8M to the City of Southport for repairs14 flood claims paid for it, $675K
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$161K to the City of Southport for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Florence1,892 households applied for aid$1.0M aid approved$1.4M to the City of Southport for repairs50 flood claims paid for it, $1.9M
Show all 14
- 2016Hurricane Matthew26 households applied for aid$722 aid approved$353K to the City of Southport for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $178K
- 2011Hurricane Irene21 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$95K to the City of Southport for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds32 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
- 2008Tropical Storm Hanna$31K to the City of Southport for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Ophelia$58K to the City of Southport for repairs
- 2005Hurricane Ophelia$3K to the City of Southport for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel13 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$4K to the City of Southport for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$115K to the City of Southport for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $54K
Brunswick County has had 25 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.
Also 1 FEMA wildfire suppression grant (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in Brunswick County, 2025–2025.
Old photos of Southport after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Southport archive →Get ready for what Southport 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.
- 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.
- Southport residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Southport
Is Southport at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Southport has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #253 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (82%) and river and rain flooding (13%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Southport flood?
Flood insurance has paid 148 claims in Southport since 1981, $5.6M in all, or 59.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 23 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (50).
Is Southport 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 Brunswick County, 78% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 21.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Southport?
Southport is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Southport?
By FEMA money that reached Southport, Hurricane Florence (2018): 1,892 households applied for aid, $1.0M approved, and $1.4M to the City of Southport for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 50 paid, $1.9M.
Is Southport at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Southport’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Southport.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Southport’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.