More hazard damage per building is expected in Seadrift than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seadrift gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (67%), then river and rain flooding (27%). Flood insurance has paid 26 claims here since 1980.
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 Seadrift’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Seadrift 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 Seadrift’s grade
Hurricanes are 67% of the building damage FEMA expects in Seadrift, and Seadrift’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 2%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
D higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Seadrift’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.5M a year in losses across Seadrift: $1.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Seadrift flood? Sometimes: 26 flood claims since 1980
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Seadrift, from FEMA’s records: 32.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Harvey9 claims · $161K
- Hurricane Claudette2 claims · $54K
- Hurricane Allen2 claims · $7K
Seadrift isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Calhoun County.4 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Seadrift
Disasters that paid out in Seadrift itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Seadrift), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$11K aid approved
- 2021Severe Winter Storms52 households applied for aid$24K aid approved$27K to the City of Seadrift for repairs
- 2017Hurricane Harvey722 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$9.1M to the City of Seadrift for repairs9 flood claims paid for it, $161K
- 2003Hurricane Claudette347 households applied for aid$598K aid approved$27K to the City of Seadrift for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $54K
Calhoun County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Seadrift after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Seadrift archive →Get ready for what Seadrift 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 Seadrift
Is Seadrift at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Seadrift has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (67%) and river and rain flooding (27%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Seadrift flood?
Flood insurance has paid 26 claims in Seadrift since 1980, $288K in all, or 32.5 per 1,000 homes, more than 89% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Harvey (9).
Is Seadrift 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 Calhoun County, 40% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 14.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Seadrift?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Seadrift’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 Seadrift?
By FEMA money that reached Seadrift, Hurricane Harvey (2017): 722 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $9.1M to the City of Seadrift for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Harvey: 9 paid, $161K.
Is Seadrift at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (67%), and Seadrift’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Seadrift.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Seadrift’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.