Enter any address in Cumberland County, North Carolina to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent flood event in Cumberland County, NC. Over the last 30 years, NOAA Storm Events data shows 80 flash flood events. These can occur rapidly, as seen on June 16, 2025, when stalled weather systems produced isolated flash flooding and downed trees. Similarly, on August 8, 2024, heavy rain from Tropical Depression Debby resulted in widespread rainfall across the region.
While flash floods are common, other flood types have also impacted the county. Tropical storms have caused 7 events, and hurricanes have occurred 6 times. Flood events have also been recorded, resulting in fatalities. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data indicates that properties in Zone X and Zone A experience the most claims. However, Zone X_SHADED properties have shown a high average payout and water depth, suggesting significant risk for those locations. Residents in areas designated as Zone X_SHADED, Zone A, and Zone X should be particularly aware of their flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
46 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Cumberland County, North Carolina has recorded 97 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 80 flash floods and 4 river or area floods. The county has received 23 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1984–2026)
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 |
| 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 |
| Hurricane Matthew | Hurricane | Oct 4, 2016 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | May 29, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 16, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 11, 2025 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 27, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 16, 2024 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 11, 2024 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2024 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2024 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 27, 2023 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — May 29, 2025
Storms over South Carolina in association with a mid-level system tracked into central North Carolina in the afternoon and evening hours. The storms initially produced a wind damage and isolated hail threat. Thereafter, the event evolved into a flash flood threat, with training and back building storms resulting in 3 or more inches per hour rainfall rates from Albemarle to Greensboro to Burling...
Flash Flood — Jun 16, 2025
A southward moving cold front out of Virginia stalled out near the North Carolina border. Storms from the late evening on the 15th persisted into the early morning hours of the 16th along and south of the front, producing isolated flash flooding. The stalled boundary then fueled additional numerous showers and storms in the afternoon and evening hours of the 16th along small scale boundaries. S...
Flash Flood — Jun 11, 2025
A stalled front over the Sandhills and Coastal Plain of central North Carolina combined with an inland penetrating sea-breeze to develop isolated to scattered storms in the afternoon and evening hours. A few storms produced wind damage across Sampson County, as well as some flash flooding in Cumberland County.
Flash Flood — Sep 27, 2024
Hurricane Helene weakened to a strong tropical storm on the morning of 27 September across northeast Georgia. Helene continued to track to the west and northwest into the Tennessee Valley. Widespread rainfall totals of 2-4 inches of rain fell over central North Carolina, along with wind gusts of 25-45 mph. Additionally, four tornadoes occurred, with the strongest an EF3, touching down over Rock...
Flash Flood — Sep 16, 2024
A subtropical area of low pressure off the coast of the Carolinas moved inland, tracking west-northwest towards Charlotte and western North Carolina into the morning of the 17th of September. Rainfall amounts across central North Carolina ranged from 1 to 4 inches, which led to isolated flash flooding in Cumberland and Wake Counties.
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 Cumberland 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 Cumberland 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.