Photo: Pubdog · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Tabor City than in 93% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tabor City gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns, #238 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (63%), then river and rain flooding (21%). Flood insurance has paid 15 claims here since 1999.
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 Tabor 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
River and rain flooding
Strong wind
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 Tabor City’s grade
Hurricanes are 63% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tabor City, and Tabor City’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 6%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #238 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Tabor City’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical North Carolina town has lower expected damage than 51% of U.S. towns; within the state, Tabor City has more expected damage per building than 82% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.7M a year in losses across Tabor City: $1.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tabor City flood? Sometimes: 15 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tabor City, from FEMA’s records: 11.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence7 claims · $148K
- Hurricane Matthew5 claims · $57K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $18K
Tabor 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: Columbus County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tabor City
Disasters that paid out in Tabor City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Tabor City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene6 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2018Hurricane Florence700 households applied for aid$695K aid approved$424K to the Town of Tabor City for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $148K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew779 households applied for aid$641K aid approved$783K to the Town of Tabor City for repairs5 flood claims paid for it, $57K
- 2011Hurricane Irene229 households applied for aid$42K aid approved
- 2004Hurricane Ivan1 households applied for aid$1K aid approved
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances650 households applied for aid$1.2M aid approved
Show all 8
- 2003Hurricane Isabel450 households applied for aid$324K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$114K to the Town of Tabor City for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $18K
Columbus County has had 21 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 Tabor City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tabor City archive →Get ready for what Tabor 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.
- 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.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- 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 Tabor City
Is Tabor City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tabor City has higher expected damage per building than 93% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #238 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (63%) and river and rain flooding (21%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tabor City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 15 claims in Tabor City since 1999, $268K in all, or 11.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 76% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (7).
Is Tabor 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 Columbus County, 33% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tabor City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Tabor 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 Tabor City?
By FEMA money that reached Tabor City, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 779 households applied for aid, $641K approved, and $783K to the Town of Tabor City for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 7 paid, $148K.
Is Tabor City at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (63%), and Tabor City’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tabor City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tabor 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.