Carolina Beach, North Carolina Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
Carolina Beach is a barrier island community in New Hanover County facing Atlantic Ocean storm surge. Hurricane Florence in 2018 caused significant flooding and highlighted the island's vulnerability to tropical systems.
New Hanover County has recorded 11,178 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $187.0M in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 4
NFIP Policies
19,915
New Hanover County
Avg. Premium
$800/yr
New Hanover County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: New Hanover County
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $46.0M
Coastal Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $6.7M
Hurricane Risk
Very HighEst. annual loss: $181.4M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: New Hanover County
New Hanover County has been included in 23 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 15 earlier declarations since 1998.
These declarations affected communities across New Hanover County, including Carolina Beach.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: New Hanover County
Properties in New Hanover County have filed 11,178 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $187.0M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $17K.
Highest-Claim Years
1996
3,783 claims - $86.5M
1999
2,394 claims - $30.8M
2018
1,635 claims - $34.3M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Carolina Beach
Carolina Beach is primarily at risk from coastal flooding, including hurricane storm surge, tidal flooding, and wave action. Coastal storms can push seawater inland with little warning, and properties in VE (Velocity) zones face the most severe exposure to breaking waves. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Carolina Beach are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $46.0M. Properties in Carolina Beach's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.
Coastal flood insurance premiums in Carolina Beach are typically higher than inland areas due to the destructive force of storm surge and wave action. Properties in VE zones face the highest premiums because wave damage compounds the risk beyond still-water flooding. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Coastal flood maps are among the most frequently updated in the FEMA system, as shoreline erosion and new storm surge modeling refine the boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) may shift VE and AE zone boundaries after major storms or updated coastal studies. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Carolina Beach address.
Flood Insurance Discount: Carolina Beach
Carolina Beach participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 6
SFHA Premium Discount
20% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Carolina Beach's Class 6 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 20% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 10% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, October 2025. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Carolina Beach, NC Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Carolina Beach, NC?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Carolina Beach are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Carolina Beach?
If your Carolina Beach property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since over 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Carolina Beach?
Enter your Carolina Beach address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
Does Carolina Beach offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Carolina Beach participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 6 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 20% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 10% discount.
Has Carolina Beach experienced major flooding events?
New Hanover County, where Carolina Beach is located, has been part of 23 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Ian in 2022. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Carolina Beach?
New Hanover County has recorded 11,178 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $187.0M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 1996, with 3,783 claims and $86.5M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Carolina Beach.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Carolina Beach?
New Hanover County currently has 19,915 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $800. The most policies are in Zone AE (10,960 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
Can my Carolina Beach property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Carolina Beach?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Carolina Beach's Zone AE and Zone VE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
Other North Carolina Cities
Understanding Flood Zones
Look Up Any Carolina Beach, NC Address
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Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on March 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. This page is for informational purposes only and is not a certified flood zone determination. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.