Photo: User:Dincher · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Stedman as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stedman gets a B for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%), then hurricanes (26%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim 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 Stedman 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 Stedman’s grade
River and rain flooding is 58% of the building damage FEMA expects in Stedman, and Stedman’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 26% (higher than 86% of U.S. census tracts).
B lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Stedman’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $384K a year in losses across Stedman: $282K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Stedman flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Stedman, from FEMA’s records: 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $6K
Stedman 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.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Stedman
Disasters that paid out in Stedman itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Stedman), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence167 households applied for aid$77K aid approved$124K to the Town of Stedman for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew293 households applied for aid$178K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $6K
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances1 households applied for aid$117 aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel5 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
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 Stedman after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Stedman archive →Get ready for what Stedman 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 Stedman
Is Stedman at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Stedman has lower expected damage per building than 56% of U.S. towns: B for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (58%) and hurricanes (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Stedman flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Stedman since 2016, $6K in all, or 1.5 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 68% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (1).
Is Stedman 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 Stedman?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Stedman’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 Stedman?
By FEMA money that reached Stedman, Hurricane Florence (2018): 167 households applied for aid, $77K approved, and $124K to the Town of Stedman for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 1 paid, $6K.
Is Stedman at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (58%), and Stedman’s rate for it is lower than 61% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Stedman.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Stedman’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.