Enter any address in Harnett County, North Carolina to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from heavy rainfall events is the most frequent type of flood recorded in Harnett County over the past 30 years, with 33 such events documented. Tropical storms and hurricanes have also impacted the county, with 6 tropical storm events and 5 hurricane events noted in the same period. For example, Tropical Depression Debby brought heavy rain and flash flooding to the region in August 2024, and Hurricane Ian caused widespread wind gusts and heavy rainfall in September 2022.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A and Zone X have experienced the most claims. Zone A properties had an average payout of $26,385 with an average water depth of 7.8 feet, while Zone X properties had an average payout of $18,243 with an average water depth of 7.4 feet. Homeowners in Zone A, Zone X, and those in areas with unknown flood zone designations should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
18 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Harnett County, North Carolina has recorded 50 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 33 flash floods and 6 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 (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 |
| 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 | Aug 8, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2024 | 5.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 30, 2022 | 0.75M |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 31, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jun 19, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 15, 2020 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Aug 3, 2020 | 0.50M |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 5, 2019 | 0.50M |
| Flash Flood | Jul 23, 2018 | 0.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 8, 2024
Tropical Depression Debby slowly made its way through Florida, off the South Carolina coast, then back inland through the western Piedmont of North Carolina during the evening hours of 8 August 2024. Ahead of the storm, numerous feeder bands brought periods of heavy rain to central North Carolina, resulting in widespread 4-6 inch rainfall amounts across the western Piedmont, with higher amounts...
Tropical Storm — Sep 30, 2022
Hurricane Ian made landfall along the South Carolina coast near Georgetown during the early afternoon hours of September 30, 2022. Widespread wind gusts over tropical storm force and heavy rainfall occurred across much of central North Carolina through the afternoon and evening hours. There were numerous reports of wind damage and power outages as a result of the storm.
Flash Flood — Jul 27, 2021
A weak mid level disturbance moved across the area during the early morning hours, interacting with a very moist airmass. This allowed for a large cluster of slow moving showers and storms to develop and produced heavy rain and several reports of flash flooding across portions of the Coastal Plain and eastern Sandhills.
Flash Flood — Aug 31, 2020
Warm moist air lifted along a wavy stationary front. This combined with slow moving and merging thunderstorms resulted in heavy rain and flash flooding, including a dam break in Johnston County and two fatalities.
Flash Flood — Jun 19, 2020
Cyclonic, perturbed flow related to a weakening mid and upper level low centered over Ohio and Pennsylvania supported the development of numerous, mainly multi-cellular storms that produced sub-severe hail and flash flooding. Storms became anchor or backbuild on outflow mergers, which resulted in flash flooding.
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 Harnett 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 Harnett 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.