10 North Carolina Cities at Risk of Flooding

North Carolina Cities at Risk of Flooding

The 2020 First National Flood Risk Assessment (FNFRA) estimated that 538,900 properties are at substantial risk of flooding in North Carolina. This is considerably above the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps that identify 276,900 properties at risk. The FNFRA assessment takes into account areas that FEMA hasn’t yet mapped, as well as current climate data, and adds precipitation as a separate risk. 

Here are the top 10 cities in North Carolina from the First National Flood Risk Assessment showing total properties at risk followed by the percentage of total properties.

City	Properties at risk	Percentage of total properties
Charlotte	17,545	7%
Wilmington	11,184	27%
Raleigh	8,469	7%
Fayetteville	7,957	11%
New Bern	7,940	48%
Durham	5,958	7%
Elizabeth City	5,510	64%
Winston-Salem	5,494	6%
Oak Island	5,141	42%
Greensboro	5,121	5%

Our Hometowns’ Flooding Risks

We’ve gone slightly deeper into the numbers for the locations in North Carolina where we have offices.

Raleigh ranks number three in the above listing, with 8,469 properties at flooding risk. If we expand our review to all of Wake County, it more than doubles the number of properties at risk to 17,358. This is in contrast to the FEMA assessment of 4,470 properties at risk of flooding in the county.

Winston-Salem weighs in at eighth on the list, with 5,494 properties at risk. All of Forsyth County shows 7,462 properties with flooding risk, well above the FEMA assessment of 1,942 properties.

The Importance of Flood Insurance 

You can access the National Flood Insurance Program by using the FEMA Flood Map Service Center to map your property to determine flooding risks. From there, you can purchase flood insurance. 

If your property is at risk of flooding, it’s wise to purchase separate flood insurance. Homeowner’s insurance only covers damage from internal sources of water, including burst pipes and overflowing toilets. It doesn’t cover damage caused by rain, storms, or flooding, which are from external sources.

Flood insurance can come in pretty handy in North Carolina. Since 2000, there have been 545,800 damage claims by home and property owners through the National Flood Insurance Program or the Individual Assistance Program. Make sure you have the necessary coverage for your home.

Flooding Protection for Your Property

FEMA estimates that just two inches of water in a 2,500-square-foot one-story home can cause $23,720 in damage to the home and $3,172 to personal property. That’s a sound reason to do what you can to protect your home. 

Here is a list of ways you can protect your home, basement, or crawl space from water damage caused by flooding.

• Fix Exterior Drainage: Ensure your gutters and downspouts are sized adequately for the expected rainfall. Clean and repair any damage. Use downspout extensions and proper landscape grading to route water away from the foundation.
• Install Basement or Crawl Space Drainage: An internal drainage system can collect leaks, and a sump pump with battery backup can remove the water before it builds up.
• Add Flood Sensors: Home security systems offer flood sensors that can detect rising water and alert you to take immediate action.
• Move Utilities Higher: As floods threaten, move extension cords and electrical equipment off the basement floor using cement blocks. Also, consider moving electrical wiring and outlets well above floor level on a permanent basis. 
• Install Flood Vents: They can reduce water pressure on foundation walls by allowing water into the basement or crawl space. While causing some flooding damage, they can prevent far greater structural damage.
• Use Backflow Valves: Sewage drain lines can back up due to flood waters. Backflow valves can prevent this from happening and contaminating your basement or crawl space.
• Install Flood-Resistant Insulation and Drywall: This can help minimize the damage from flooding and allow for easier clean-up. Also, consider installing tile flooring rather than carpeting.
• Remove Your Valuables: If you’re storing valuables in the basement, move them to a higher floor during flooding conditions. That same suggestion applies to a basement office.

During any flooding, make sure you protect your family. Move to a higher floor or evacuate the premises if you’re in immediate danger from rising waters.

Holly Richards-Purpura

Content Writer

Holly is a Content Writer for Groundworks who has written and edited web content for the foundation services industry for almost 10 years. With a background in journalism, her passion for the written word runs deep. Holly lives in Columbus, OH, with her husband. Along with educating homeowners, she also has a big heart for the Big Apple.