Photo: DiscoA340 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Surf City than almost anywhere in the U.S., mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Surf City gets a D− for hazard risk: among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #273 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (61%), then coastal flooding (26%). Flood insurance has paid 1,490 claims here since 1983.
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 Surf City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Surf City faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
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 Surf City’s grade
Hurricanes are 61% of the building damage FEMA expects in Surf City, and Surf City’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 26%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− #273 of 290 in North Carolina; among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
Surf City’s residents live in 5 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, Surf City has more expected damage per building than 94% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $9.1M a year in losses across Surf City: $8.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Surf City flood? Yes: 1,490 flood claims since 1983
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Surf City, from FEMA’s records: 322.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran527 claims · $11.2M
- Hurricane Florence346 claims · $4.9M
- Hurricane Floyd326 claims · $3.2M
Surf City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Pender County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Surf City
Disasters that paid out in Surf City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Surf City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Hurricane Ian$12K to the Town of Surf City for repairs7 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Hurricane Isaias$27K to the Town of Surf City for repairs2 flood claims paid that year
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$31K to the Town of Surf City for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence318 households applied for aid$186K aid approved$9.8M to the Town of Surf City for repairs346 flood claims paid for it, $4.9M
- 2011Hurricane Irene4 households applied for aid$19K to the Town of Surf City for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds3 households applied for aid$5K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
Show all 10
- 2005Hurricane Ophelia$92K to the Town of Surf City for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $46K
- 2005Hurricane Ophelia$572K to the Town of Surf City for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $46K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$1.7M to the Town of Surf City for repairs326 flood claims paid for it, $3.2M
- 1999Hurricane Dennis$9K to the Town of Surf City for repairs
Pender County has had 22 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 Surf City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Surf City archive →Surf City and its neighbors
Surf City 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surf City | D−among the highest damage | hurricanes | 1,490 |
| North Topsail Beach | D−among the highest damage | hurricanes | 1,073 |
| Topsail Beach | — | 406 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Surf City 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Surf City
Is Surf City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Surf City has among the highest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk, #273 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (61%) and coastal flooding (26%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Surf City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1,490 claims in Surf City since 1983, $21.0M in all, or 322.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 243 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (527).
Is Surf City 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 Pender County, 68% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 16.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Surf City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Surf City’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 Surf City?
By FEMA money that reached Surf City, Hurricane Florence (2018): 318 households applied for aid, $186K approved, and $9.8M to the Town of Surf City for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 527 paid, $11.2M.
Is Surf City at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (61%), and Surf City’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Surf City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Surf City’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.