Photo: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 3.0FEMA puts Hampton’s expected hazard damage per building above that of 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hampton gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). Flood insurance has paid 30 claims here since 1984.
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 Hampton’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Hampton 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
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 Hampton’s grade
River and rain flooding is 92% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hampton, and Hampton’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hampton’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $842K a year in losses across Hampton: $501K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hampton flood? Sometimes: 30 flood claims since 1984
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Hampton, from FEMA’s records: 33.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Helene5 claims · $120K
Hampton isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Carter County.1 federal disaster brought FEMA money to Hampton
Disasters that paid out in Hampton itself (aid to households or repair grants to Hampton), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene454 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved5 flood claims paid for it, $120K
Carter County has had 13 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Hampton after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hampton archive →Hampton and its neighbors
Hampton 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valley Forge | C+more damage than 65% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Hampton | C−more damage than 77% | river and rain flooding | 30 |
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 Hampton 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.
- 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 Hampton
Is Hampton at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hampton has higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (92%). 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 Hampton flood?
Flood insurance has paid 30 claims in Hampton since 1984, $347K in all, or 33.9 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Helene (5).
Is Hampton 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 Carter County, 20% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hampton?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hampton’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 Hampton?
By FEMA money that reached Hampton, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 454 households applied for aid, $1.6M approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Helene: 5 paid, $120K.
Is Hampton at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (92%), and Hampton’s rate for it is higher than 88% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hampton.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hampton’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.