Foscue Plantation House · Photo: Tradewinds · CC BY-SA 3.0Storms, floods and disasters in Trenton
Trenton isn’t graded for hazard risk: Trenton has 319 residents; we grade towns of 1,000 or more. Flood insurance has paid 21 claims here since 1999.
What Trenton 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
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.
Does Trenton flood? Sometimes: 21 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Trenton, from FEMA’s records.
- Hurricane Floyd7 claims · $140K
- Hurricane Florence6 claims · $583K
- Tropical Storm Ernesto2 claims · $19K
Trenton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Jones County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Trenton
Disasters that paid out in Trenton itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Trenton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence801 households applied for aid$3.3M aid approved$99K to the Town of Trenton for repairs6 flood claims paid for it, $583K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew124 households applied for aid$207K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $39K
- 2011Hurricane Irene151 households applied for aid$92K aid approved$2K to the Town of Trenton for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds81 households applied for aid$37K aid approved4 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel66 households applied for aid$76K aid approved$2K to the Town of Trenton for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$279K to the Town of Trenton for repairs7 flood claims paid for it, $140K
Jones County has had 18 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 Trenton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Trenton archive →Get ready for what Trenton 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.
- 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 Trenton
Does Trenton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 21 claims in Trenton since 1999, $854K in all. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (7).
Is Trenton 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 Jones County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 4.2% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Trenton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Trenton’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 Trenton?
By FEMA money that reached Trenton, Hurricane Florence (2018): 801 households applied for aid, $3.3M approved, and $99K to the Town of Trenton for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 7 paid, $140K.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Trenton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Trenton’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.