Enter any address in Johnston County, North Carolina to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent type of flood event in Johnston County, NC, accounting for 69 occurrences in the last 30 years. These events have resulted in 7 fatalities. More significant flood events, including tropical storms and hurricanes, have also impacted the county, contributing to a total of 15 deaths from these types of events over the same period. Recent examples include localized flash flooding near Smithfield on May 5, 2024, and isolated flooding in Johnston County on June 15, 2023, following showers and storms.
Homeowners in flood zones A, X, and X_UNSHADED should be particularly aware of potential flood risks. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that Zone A experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $34,750 and an average water depth of 2.2 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED, while fewer in number, saw higher average payouts of $40,272 with an average water depth of 7.6 feet, indicating potentially more severe inundation.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
40 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Johnston County, North Carolina has recorded 90 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 69 flash floods and 7 river or area floods. The county has received 27 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 | Jun 15, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | May 5, 2024 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 15, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Tropical Storm | Sep 30, 2022 | 1.00M (3 deaths) |
| Flash Flood | Sep 10, 2022 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2021 | 25.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 27, 2021 | 100.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 9, 2021 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 31, 2020 | 25.00K |
Flash Flood — Jun 15, 2025
A trough of low pressure over the southern Appalachians combined with a southward moving backdoor cold front in Virginia for the development of scattered to numerous showers and storms over the northern Piedmont and Coastal Plain of central North Carolina in the evening hours. Trees were down due to strong storms in Nash and Halifax, as well as isolated flooding in Johnston County.
Flash Flood — May 5, 2024
Within a moist airmass, a lingering surface frontal boundary led to the development of scattered showers and thunderstorms. Over the Coastal Plain, a storm cell produced localized flash flooding near the town of Smithfield.
Flash Flood — Aug 15, 2023
A trough and associated cold front interacted with a very hot and humid air mass to result in widespread showers and storms across much of central North Carolina in the afternoon and early evening. With adequate wind shear, some of the storms were severe, and they consolidated into a line as they pushed east. There were numerous reports of wind damage across the Piedmont and northern and centra...
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 — Sep 10, 2022
A tropical airmass interacted with a stalled frontal zone across portions of the southern Coatal Plain and eastern Sandhills of central North Carolina, producing heavy rain from numerous showers and storms. Flash flooding was reported in these areas, where the heaviest rain fell.
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 Johnston 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 Johnston 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.