Photo: DiscoA340 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Wrightsville Beach than in 97% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wrightsville Beach gets a D− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (71%), then coastal flooding (16%). Flood insurance has paid 2,687 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 Wrightsville Beach’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Wrightsville Beach faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
Hurricanes
Coastal flooding
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 Wrightsville Beach’s grade
Hurricanes are 71% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wrightsville Beach, and Wrightsville Beach’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 16%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D− higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wrightsville Beach’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.0M a year in losses across Wrightsville Beach: $5.4M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wrightsville Beach flood? Yes: 2,687 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wrightsville Beach, from FEMA’s records: 931.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran1,229 claims · $31.7M
- Hurricane Floyd751 claims · $10.7M
- Hurricane Bonnie317 claims · $2.6M
Wrightsville Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: New Hanover County.10 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Wrightsville Beach
Disasters that paid out in Wrightsville Beach itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wrightsville Beach), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2020Hurricane Isaias$73K to the Town of Wrightsville Beach for repairs
- 2019Hurricane Dorian$83K to the Town of Wrightsville Beach for repairs3 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Florence236 households applied for aid$137K aid approved$432K to the Town of Wrightsville Beach for repairs281 flood claims paid for it, $6.2M
- 2016Hurricane Matthew$27K to the Town of Wrightsville Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2011Hurricane Irene2 households applied for aid$25K to the Town of Wrightsville Beach for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2005Hurricane Ophelia$14K to the Town of Wrightsville Beach for repairs
Show all 10
- 2005Hurricane Ophelia$67K to the Town of Wrightsville Beach for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel2 households applied for aid$19K to the Town of Wrightsville Beach for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$242K to the Town of Wrightsville Beach for repairs751 flood claims paid for it, $10.7M
- 1999Hurricane Dennis$19K to the Town of Wrightsville Beach for repairs
New Hanover County has had 23 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 Wrightsville Beach after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wrightsville Beach archive →Get ready for what Wrightsville Beach 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.
- Know your evacuation zone and the way off the coast.
- Storm surge comes fast: leave when you’re told, not when the water arrives.
- Move cars to high ground before king tides and nor’easters.
- 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.
- Wrightsville Beach residents get 15% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Wrightsville Beach
Is Wrightsville Beach at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wrightsville Beach has higher expected damage per building than 97% of U.S. towns: D− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (71%) and coastal flooding (16%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wrightsville Beach flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2,687 claims in Wrightsville Beach since 1978, $52.1M in all, or 931.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 544 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (1,229).
Is Wrightsville Beach 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 New Hanover County, 75% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 14.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Wrightsville Beach?
Wrightsville Beach is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 7), which takes 15% 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 Wrightsville Beach?
By FEMA money that reached Wrightsville Beach, Hurricane Florence (2018): 236 households applied for aid, $137K approved, and $432K to the Town of Wrightsville Beach for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 1,229 paid, $31.7M.
Is Wrightsville Beach at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (71%), and Wrightsville Beach’s rate for it is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wrightsville Beach.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wrightsville Beach’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.