FEMA Flood Zone Lookup in North Carolina

North Carolina faces extensive flood risk from Atlantic coastal storm surge, riverine flooding along the Cape Fear, Neuse, Tar, Yadkin, and French Broad rivers, and increasing inland flooding from tropical systems. Hurricane Florence in 2018 was the state's most costly natural disaster causing over $17 billion in damage with catastrophic inland flooding in the Fayetteville, Wilmington, and Jacksonville areas. The city of Lumberton was devastated by both Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Florence in 2018, with the Lumber River overtopping its banks both times. The Piedmont Triad including Greensboro and High Point faces flash flood risk from urban development. Asheville and the western mountains experienced unprecedented flooding from Hurricane Helene in 2024 when the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers reached historic levels, causing billions in damage. The Outer Banks face chronic coastal flooding from storm surge and tidal flooding. The state has over 600 NFIP-participating communities. North Carolina's combination of coastal exposure, extensive river system, and mountain terrain creates diverse flood risks across the state. Climate change is expected to increase both the intensity of rainfall events and the frequency of coastal flooding.