Coolmore Plantation · Photo: Thomas T. Waterman, Photographer · Public domainFEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Tarboro as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tarboro gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns, #177 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%), then hurricanes (20%). Flood insurance has paid 94 claims here since 1979.
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 Tarboro’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Tarboro 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 Tarboro’s grade
River and rain flooding is 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Tarboro, and Tarboro’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 20% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
C+ #177 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Tarboro’s residents live in 4 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, Tarboro has more expected damage per building than 61% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.7M a year in losses across Tarboro: $3.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Tarboro flood? Sometimes: 94 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Tarboro, from FEMA’s records: 17.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew51 claims · $1.6M
- Hurricane Floyd34 claims · $1.0M
- Hurricane Eta1 claim · $8K
Tarboro is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Edgecombe County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Tarboro
Disasters that paid out in Tarboro itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Tarboro), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Hurricane Matthew1,424 households applied for aid$4.1M aid approved$1.1M to the Town of Tarboro for repairs51 flood claims paid for it, $1.6M
- 2011Hurricane Irene381 households applied for aid$255K aid approved$384K to the Town of Tarboro for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel123 households applied for aid$151K aid approved$82K to the Town of Tarboro for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $814
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$19K to the Town of Tarboro for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$9K to the Town of Tarboro for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$3.6M to the Town of Tarboro for repairs34 flood claims paid for it, $1.0M
Edgecombe 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 Tarboro after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Tarboro archive →Get ready for what Tarboro 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.
- Tarboro 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 Tarboro
Is Tarboro at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Tarboro has higher expected damage per building than 58% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #177 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (67%) and hurricanes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Tarboro flood?
Flood insurance has paid 94 claims in Tarboro since 1979, $2.6M in all, or 17.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 82% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (51).
Is Tarboro 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 Edgecombe County, 32% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 3.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Tarboro?
Tarboro 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 Tarboro?
By FEMA money that reached Tarboro, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 1,424 households applied for aid, $4.1M approved, and $1.1M to the Town of Tarboro for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 51 paid, $1.6M.
Is Tarboro at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Tarboro’s rate for it is higher than 62% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Tarboro.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Tarboro’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.