More hazard damage per building is expected in Whispering Pines than in 63% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Whispering Pines gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns, #192 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%), then hurricanes (13%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 2016.
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 Whispering Pines 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 Whispering Pines’ grade
River and rain flooding is 74% of the building damage FEMA expects in Whispering Pines, and Whispering Pines’ rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Ice storms add 2%, at a rate in the top 9% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ #192 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Whispering Pines’ 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, Whispering Pines has more expected damage per building than 66% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Whispering Pines: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Whispering Pines flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Whispering Pines, from FEMA’s records: 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Florence7 claims · $152K
- The 2025 July TS Chantal4 claims · $235K
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $590
Whispering Pines isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Moore County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Whispering Pines
Disasters that paid out in Whispering Pines itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Whispering Pines), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence16 households applied for aid$37K aid approved7 flood claims paid for it, $152K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew12 households applied for aid$4K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $590
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$10K to the Village of Whispering Pines for repairs
Moore 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 Whispering Pines after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Whispering Pines archive →Whispering Pines and its neighbors
Whispering Pines is 2nd of the 2 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Pines | B+less damage than 72% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Whispering Pines | C+more damage than 63% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
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 Whispering Pines 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Whispering Pines
Is Whispering Pines at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Whispering Pines has higher expected damage per building than 63% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk, #192 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (74%) and hurricanes (13%). 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 Whispering Pines flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Whispering Pines since 2016, $388K in all, or 5.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 2 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Florence (7).
Is Whispering Pines 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 Moore County, 51% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Whispering Pines?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Whispering Pines’ 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 Whispering Pines?
By FEMA money that reached Whispering Pines, Hurricane Florence (2018): 16 households applied for aid, $37K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Florence: 7 paid, $152K.
Is Whispering Pines at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (74%), and Whispering Pines’ rate for it is higher than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Whispering Pines.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Whispering Pines’ 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.