Photo: MattShaw9365 · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Wilson as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilson gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns, #145 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%), then hurricanes (23%). Flood insurance has paid 338 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 stands out about Wilson’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wilson 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 Wilson’s grade
River and rain flooding is 64% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wilson, and Wilson’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 23% (higher than 85% of U.S. census tracts).
B− #145 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wilson’s residents live in 20 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, Wilson has less expected damage per building than 50% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $17.5M a year in losses across Wilson: $13.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wilson flood? Yes: 338 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wilson, from FEMA’s records: 14.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd138 claims · $4.2M
- Hurricane Matthew57 claims · $2.3M
- The Mid-spring storms16 claims · $263K
Wilson is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Wilson County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wilson
Disasters that paid out in Wilson itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Wilson), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene54 households applied for aid$750 aid approved10 flood claims paid that year
- 2020Tropical Storm Eta$9K to the City of Wilson for repairs15 flood claims paid for it, $871K
- 2018Hurricane Florence116 households applied for aid$102K aid approved$419K to the City of Wilson for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Hurricane Matthew533 households applied for aid$708K aid approved$1.8M to the City of Wilson for repairs57 flood claims paid for it, $2.3M
- 2011Hurricane Irene271 households applied for aid$146K aid approved$1.3M to the City of Wilson for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding127 households applied for aid$39K aid approved$425K to the City of Wilson for repairs
Show all 10
- 2003Hurricane Isabel129 households applied for aid$70K aid approved$769K to the City of Wilson for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$135K to the City of Wilson for repairs30 flood claims paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$14K to the City of Wilson for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$3.7M to the City of Wilson for repairs138 flood claims paid for it, $4.2M
Wilson County has had 22 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 Wilson after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wilson archive →Get ready for what Wilson 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.
- Wilson residents get 25% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Wilson
Is Wilson at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wilson has lower expected damage per building than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #145 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (64%) and hurricanes (23%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wilson flood?
Flood insurance has paid 338 claims in Wilson since 1978, $9.8M in all, or 14.7 per 1,000 homes, more than 80% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 29 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (138).
Is Wilson 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 Wilson 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 Wilson?
Wilson is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Wilson?
By FEMA money that reached Wilson, Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations (1999): $3.7M to the City of Wilson for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 138 paid, $4.2M.
Is Wilson at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (64%), and Wilson’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wilson.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wilson’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.