Photo: Nyttend · Public domainMore hazard damage per building is expected in Pembroke than in 84% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pembroke gets a C− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). Flood insurance has paid 4 claims here since 1995.
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 Pembroke 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 Pembroke’s grade
River and rain flooding is 96% of the building damage FEMA expects in Pembroke, and Pembroke’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
C− higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Pembroke’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $452K a year in losses across Pembroke: $394K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Pembroke flood? Rarely: 4 flood claims since 1995
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Pembroke, from FEMA’s records: 6.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Pembroke isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Giles County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Pembroke
Disasters that paid out in Pembroke itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Pembroke), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene67 households applied for aid$497K aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding From the Remanants of Hurricane Jeanne5 households applied for aid$6K aid approved
- 2003Severe Storms and Flooding5 households applied for aid$1K aid approved1 flood claim paid that year
Giles County has had 19 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Pembroke after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Pembroke archive →Get ready for what Pembroke 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 Pembroke
Is Pembroke at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Pembroke has higher expected damage per building than 84% of U.S. towns: C− for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (96%). 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 Pembroke flood?
Flood insurance has paid 4 claims in Pembroke since 1995, $34K in all, or 6.1 per 1,000 homes, more than 65% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Pembroke 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 Giles County, 13% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Pembroke?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Pembroke’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 Pembroke?
By FEMA money that reached Pembroke, Tropical Storm Helene (2024): 67 households applied for aid, $497K approved.
Is Pembroke at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (96%), and Pembroke’s rate for it is in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Pembroke.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Pembroke’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.