Photo: Ser Amantio di Nicolao · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Courtland faces more hazard damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Courtland 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 (56%), then hurricanes (38%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1982.
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 Courtland 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
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 Courtland’s grade
River and rain flooding is 56% of the building damage FEMA expects in Courtland, and Courtland’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 38%, at a rate in the top 10% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 77% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Courtland’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $564K a year in losses across Courtland: $390K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Courtland flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1982
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Courtland, from FEMA’s records: 7.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $14K
- Hurricane Floyd1 claim · $13K
Courtland isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Southampton County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Courtland
Disasters that paid out in Courtland itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Courtland), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Hurricane Irene$8K to the Town of Courtland for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel164 households applied for aid$57K aid approved1 flood claim paid for it, $14K
Southampton County has had 10 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 Courtland after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Courtland archive →Get ready for what Courtland 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.
- 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 Courtland
Is Courtland at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Courtland 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 (56%) and hurricanes (38%). 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 Courtland flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Courtland since 1982, $39K in all, or 7.6 per 1,000 homes, more than 69% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Isabel (1).
Is Courtland 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 Southampton County, 28% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.7% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Courtland?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Courtland’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 Courtland?
By FEMA money that reached Courtland, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 164 households applied for aid, $57K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Isabel: 1 paid, $14K.
Is Courtland at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (56%), and Courtland’s rate for it is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Courtland.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Courtland’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.