Photo: Townofspringlake · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Spring Lake as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spring Lake gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #129 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 5 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 Spring Lake 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 Spring Lake’s grade
River and rain flooding is 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Spring Lake, and Spring Lake’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 26% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #129 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Spring Lake’s residents live in 6 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, Spring Lake has less expected damage per building than 56% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.1M a year in losses across Spring Lake: $2.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Spring Lake flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Spring Lake, 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 Florence4 claims · $365K
Spring Lake isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Cumberland County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Spring Lake
Disasters that paid out in Spring Lake itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Spring Lake), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence950 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$5.8M to the Town of Spring Lake for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $365K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew522 households applied for aid$421K aid approved$159K to the Town of Spring Lake for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding47 households applied for aid$1K aid approved$6K to the Town of Spring Lake for repairs
- 2011Flooding$4K to the Town of Spring Lake for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances3 households applied for aid$4K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel30 households applied for aid$12K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2001Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Ice Jams$2K to the Town of Spring Lake for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$32K to the Town of Spring Lake for repairs
Cumberland County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe 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 Cumberland County, 2011–2011.
Old photos of Spring Lake after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Spring Lake archive →Spring Lake and its neighbors
Spring Lake has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Lake | B−less damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 5 |
| Fayetteville | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 400 |
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 Spring Lake 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 Spring Lake
Is Spring Lake at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Spring Lake has lower expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #129 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (61%) and hurricanes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Spring Lake flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Spring Lake since 2016, $379K in all, or 0.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (4).
Is Spring Lake 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 Cumberland County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Spring Lake?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Spring Lake’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 Spring Lake?
By FEMA money that reached Spring Lake, Hurricane Florence (2018): 950 households applied for aid, $1.6M approved, and $5.8M to the Town of Spring Lake for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 4 paid, $365K.
Is Spring Lake at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Spring Lake’s rate for it is lower than 55% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Spring Lake.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Spring Lake’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.