On FEMA’s figures, Wallace faces more hazard damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wallace gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #239 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (73%), then river and rain flooding (20%). Flood insurance has paid 41 claims here since 1992.
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 Wallace’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wallace 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.
What’s behind Wallace’s grade
Hurricanes are 73% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wallace, and Wallace’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 20% (lower than 64% of U.S. census tracts).
D #239 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wallace’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, Wallace has more expected damage per building than 82% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Wallace: $3.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wallace flood? Sometimes: 41 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wallace, from FEMA’s records: 22.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence18 claims · $2.4M
- Hurricane Floyd8 claims · $314K
- Tropical Storm Ernesto5 claims · $85K
Wallace isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Duplin County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wallace
Disasters that paid out in Wallace itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wallace), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby$7K to the Town of Wallace for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$40K to the Town of Wallace for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence1,445 households applied for aid$9.3M aid approved$1.6M to the Town of Wallace for repairs18 flood claims paid for it, $2.4M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew219 households applied for aid$198K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $55K
- 2011Hurricane Irene70 households applied for aid$40K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel74 households applied for aid$62K aid approved
Duplin County has had 19 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.
Old photos of Wallace after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wallace archive →Get ready for what Wallace 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 Wallace
Is Wallace at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wallace has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #239 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (73%) and river and rain flooding (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wallace flood?
Flood insurance has paid 41 claims in Wallace since 1992, $2.9M in all, or 22.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 85% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 6 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (18).
Is Wallace 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 Duplin County, 30% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 2.6% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wallace?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wallace’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 Wallace?
By FEMA money that reached Wallace, Hurricane Florence (2018): 1,445 households applied for aid, $9.3M approved, and $1.6M to the Town of Wallace for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 18 paid, $2.4M.
Is Wallace at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (73%), and Wallace’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wallace.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wallace’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.