Photo: gerrydincher · CC BY-SA 2.0FEMA puts Whiteville’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 94% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Whiteville gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns, #240 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (71%), then river and rain flooding (16%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
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 Whiteville 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 Whiteville’s grade
Hurricanes are 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Whiteville, and Whiteville’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts. Strong wind adds 5%, at a rate in the top 2% of U.S. census tracts.
D #240 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Whiteville’s residents live in 3 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, Whiteville has more expected damage per building than 83% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.3M a year in losses across Whiteville: $4.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Whiteville flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Whiteville. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Whiteville 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 Whiteville
Disasters that paid out in Whiteville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Whiteville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Debby$46K to the City of Whiteville for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$60K to the City of Whiteville for repairs
- 2018Hurricane Florence1,809 households applied for aid$2.6M aid approved$1.0M to the City of Whiteville for repairs
- 2016Hurricane Matthew1,681 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$281K to the City of Whiteville for repairs
- 2011Hurricane Irene205 households applied for aid$48K aid approved$10K to the City of Whiteville for repairs
- 2004Tropical Storm Frances831 households applied for aid$999K aid approved
Show all 8
- 2003Hurricane Isabel863 households applied for aid$341K aid approved
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$220K to the City of Whiteville for repairs
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 Whiteville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Whiteville archive →Get ready for what Whiteville 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 Whiteville
Is Whiteville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Whiteville has higher expected damage per building than 94% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #240 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (71%) and river and rain flooding (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Whiteville 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 Whiteville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Whiteville’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 Whiteville?
By FEMA money that reached Whiteville, Hurricane Florence (2018): 1,809 households applied for aid, $2.6M approved, and $1.0M to the City of Whiteville for repairs.
Is Whiteville at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Whiteville’s rate for it is in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Whiteville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Whiteville’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.