Enter any address in Beaufort County, North Carolina to see its FEMA flood zone
Beaufort County experiences a mix of flood types, with flash floods from thunderstorms being the most frequent event over the last 30 years, followed by tropical storms and hurricanes. Recent events include flash flooding on August 6, 2024, associated with the outer bands of a tropical storm, and significant storm surge and tide events in September 2023, including the landfall of Tropical Storm Ophelia near Emerald Isle. Hurricanes have also contributed to flood risk, with 11 events recorded in the past three decades, resulting in two fatalities.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $13,406 and an average water depth of 3.2 feet. While Zone X and X_UNSHADED have fewer claims, they show higher average payouts and water depths in some cases, suggesting potential for significant damage. Residents in coastal areas, those near rivers, and properties located outside of the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
31 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Beaufort County, North Carolina has recorded 66 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 22 flash floods and 7 river or area floods. The county has received 32 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1968–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 21, 2026 |
| Hurricane Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 25, 2024 |
| Tropical Storm Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 5, 2024 |
| Hurricane Ian | Hurricane | Sep 28, 2022 |
| Tropical Storm Eta | Severe Storm | Nov 12, 2020 |
| Hurricane Isaias | Hurricane | Jul 31, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Dorian | Hurricane | Sep 1, 2019 |
| Hurricane Florence | Hurricane | Sep 7, 2018 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 6, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Storm Surge/Tide | Sep 23, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Coastal Flood | Dec 17, 2023 | — |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 30, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 4, 2020 | — |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 6, 2019 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 14, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 13, 2018 | 4.24M |
| Tropical Storm | Oct 11, 2018 | — |
| Flash Flood | Apr 25, 2017 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 6, 2024
As the far outer bands of Tropical Storm Debbie moved northwards showers and thunderstorms developed along the Crystal Coast. The showers and thunderstorms then continued northwards on the morning of August 6th.
Storm Surge/Tide — Sep 23, 2023
On Thursday, September 21st, an area of low pressure begin to develop and get more organized off the Southeast US coastline. That low continued to deepen and become more organized, eventually taking on tropical characteristics, becoming the 15th named storm of the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season on Friday, September 22nd. Ophelia developed into a strong tropical storm and moved north over the ne...
Coastal Flood — Dec 17, 2023
A strong Nor'easter brought widespread heavy rainfall, isolated flash flooding, high winds, severe weather and significant coastal flooding to portions of Eastern North Carolina. A few of the more notable impacts were flash flooding, significant ocean over wash on the Outer Banks, high winds of 60-70 mph, and a low pressure record for December at Cape Hatteras (984 MB).
Tropical Storm — Sep 30, 2022
Ian initially made landfall on the west coast of Florida as a major category 4 hurricane, and then crossed into the Atlantic and moved northward, making a second landfall on the South Carolina coast near Georgetown as a category 1 hurricane. For Eastern NC, tropical storm force winds, elevated water levels, heavy rainfall of 3 to 6 inches, and a tornado were associated with Ian. Strong high pre...
Tropical Storm — Aug 4, 2020
Hurricane Isaias originated from a vigorous tropical wave off the coast of Africa that was first identified by the National Hurricane Center on July 23, 2020. The tropical wave gradually became more organized, and became Tropical Storm Isaias on July 30. Isaias marked the earliest ninth named storm on record, surpassing 2005's Hurricane Irene by eight days. Isaias strengthened into a Category 1...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Beaufort County, North Carolina:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Beaufort County, North Carolina that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.