Photo: Nyttend · Public domainFEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Exmore than in 74% of U.S. towns, mostly from hurricanes
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Exmore gets a C for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is hurricanes (70%), then river and rain flooding (20%). Flood insurance has paid 5 claims here since 2003.
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 Exmore 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 Exmore’s grade
Hurricanes are 70% of the building damage FEMA expects in Exmore, and Exmore’s rate of hurricanes damage is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts. Coastal flooding adds 4%, at a rate in the top 3% of U.S. census tracts.
C higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Exmore’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $970K a year in losses across Exmore: $560K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Exmore flood? Rarely: 5 flood claims since 2003
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Exmore, from FEMA’s records: 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $30K
- Hurricane Isabel1 claim · $5K
- The November 2009 nor’easter1 claim · $1K
Exmore isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Northampton County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Exmore
Disasters that paid out in Exmore itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Exmore), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2009Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'east$18K to the Town of Exmore for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel19 households applied for aid$17K aid approved$15K to the Town of Exmore for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $5K
Northampton County has had 17 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 Exmore after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Exmore archive →Exmore and its neighbors
Exmore has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exmore | Cmore damage than 74% | hurricanes | 5 |
| Belle Haven | — | 836 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
| Willis Wharf | — | 278 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
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 Exmore 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 Exmore
Is Exmore at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Exmore has higher expected damage per building than 74% of U.S. towns: C for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is hurricanes (70%) and river and rain flooding (20%). 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 Exmore flood?
Flood insurance has paid 5 claims in Exmore since 2003, $83K in all, or 6.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (1).
Is Exmore 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 Northampton County, 43% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 5.0% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Exmore?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Exmore’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 Exmore?
By FEMA money that reached Exmore, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 19 households applied for aid, $17K approved, and $15K to the Town of Exmore for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 1 paid, $30K.
Is Exmore at risk from hurricanes?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (70%), and Exmore’s rate for it is in the top 6% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Exmore.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Exmore’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.