Photo: Camb.g2g · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Williamston than in 88% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Williamston gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns, #234 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (59%), then river and rain flooding (35%). Flood insurance has paid 12 claims here since 1978.
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 Williamston 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 Williamston’s grade
Hurricanes are 59% of the building damage FEMA expects in Williamston, and Williamston’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts. Next is river and rain flooding at 35% (higher than 57% of U.S. census tracts).
D #234 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Williamston’s residents live in 2 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, Williamston has more expected damage per building than 81% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.3M a year in losses across Williamston: $3.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Williamston flood? Sometimes: 12 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Williamston, from FEMA’s records: 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew2 claims · $146K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $12K
Williamston isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Martin County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Williamston
Disasters that paid out in Williamston itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Williamston), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Hurricane Matthew88 households applied for aid$56K aid approved$97K to the Town of Williamston for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $146K
- 2011Hurricane Irene367 households applied for aid$130K aid approved$174K to the Town of Williamston for repairs
- 2010Severe Storms, Flooding, and Straight-line Winds42 households applied for aid$48K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Ophelia$3K to the Town of Williamston for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel512 households applied for aid$451K aid approved$121K to the Town of Williamston for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$343K to the Town of Williamston for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $12K
Martin 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 Williamston after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Williamston archive →Get ready for what Williamston 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 Williamston
Is Williamston at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Williamston has higher expected damage per building than 88% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #234 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (59%) and river and rain flooding (35%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Williamston flood?
Flood insurance has paid 12 claims in Williamston since 1978, $273K in all, or 4.3 per 1,000 homes, more than 56% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (2).
Is Williamston 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 Martin County, 11% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.5% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Williamston?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Williamston’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 Williamston?
By FEMA money that reached Williamston, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 512 households applied for aid, $451K approved, and $121K to the Town of Williamston for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 2 paid, $146K.
Is Williamston at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (59%), and Williamston’s rate for it is in the top 5% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Williamston.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Williamston’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.