Enter any address in Carteret County, North Carolina to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding events have been the most frequent type of flood recorded in Carteret County over the last 30 years. Recent examples include flash flooding events in August 2024, associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby, which brought significant moisture to the region. Other flood-producing events in the county include general floods, tropical storms, hurricanes, storm surge, and coastal flooding.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that Zone A has had the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $16,462 and an average water depth of 2.0 feet. Zone X also shows a significant number of claims, with an average payout of $9,019 and an average water depth of 0.6 feet. Homeowners in coastal areas, as well as those in Zone A and Zone X, should pay close attention to flood risk information.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
32 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Carteret County, North Carolina has recorded 82 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 53 flash floods and 15 river or area floods. The county has received 30 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1993–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 21, 2026 |
| Hurricane Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 25, 2024 |
| Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight | Tropical Storm | Sep 16, 2024 |
| Tropical Storm Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 5, 2024 |
| Hurricane Ian | Hurricane | Sep 28, 2022 |
| 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 | Sep 17, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 16, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 12, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 10, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 9, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 8, 2024 | — |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 31, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Storm Surge/Tide | Aug 31, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 31, 2023 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Sep 17, 2024
Tropical moisture surged northwards as a developing area of low pressure (PTC #8) off the coast of the Carolinas began to move inland. Heavy tropical rains associated with the low began on the 16th and continued on the 17th across the Outer Banks.
Flash Flood — Sep 16, 2024
Tropical moisture surged northwards as a developing area of low pressure (PTC #8) off the coast of the Carolinas began to move inland. Heavy tropical rains associated with the low began on the 16th and continued on the 17th across the Outer Banks.
Flash Flood — Aug 12, 2024
Slow moving thunderstorms produced isolated areas of flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 10, 2024
Several episodes of heavy rain lead to several instances of flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 9, 2024
After making landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida as a Category 1 hurricane on August 5, Debby weakened to a tropical storm as it slowly moved across southeastern Georgia and offshore. Tropical Storm Debby then came ashore in South Carolina after stalling off the southeast coast for several days. Debby gradually progressed northward through central North Carolina and eventually into souther...
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 Carteret 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 Carteret 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.