Walnut Creek, North Carolina Flood Zones
Last updated: March 2026
Walnut Creek faces flooding from the Tar River and its tributaries in Edgecombe County. Heavy rainfall from tropical systems causes riverine flooding in low-lying areas of this small community on the coastal plain.
Edgecombe County has recorded 795 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $28.2M 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
866
Edgecombe County
Avg. Premium
$885/yr
Edgecombe County
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Edgecombe 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: $11.4M
Hurricane Risk
Relatively ModerateEst. annual loss: $4.1M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Edgecombe County
Edgecombe County has been included in 15 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 7 earlier declarations since 1996.
These declarations affected communities across Edgecombe County, including Walnut Creek.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced February 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Edgecombe County
Properties in Edgecombe County have filed 795 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $28.2M in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $35K.
Highest-Claim Years
2016
333 claims - $16.3M
1999
317 claims - $11.3M
2020
32 claims - $298K
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced March 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Edgecombe County
An estimated 4% of households in Edgecombe County carry NFIP flood insurance. This county has elevated flood risk but very low insurance coverage, indicating a significant protection gap.
Penetration Rate
4%
Claims Ratio
1 in 1
policies have filed a claim
Avg. Claim Payout
$35,487
Derived from FEMA NRI population data and OpenFEMA NFIP policy/claims records.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Edgecombe County
Edgecombe County has 26 properties with multiple flood losses, including 0 severe repetitive loss properties.
Multiple Loss
26
Severe Rep. Loss
0
Mitigated
0
By Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced March 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: EDGECOMBE County
NOAA has recorded 39 flood events in EDGECOMBE County since 1996, causing $109.1M in damage and 8 deaths.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced March 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Edgecombe County
FEMA has funded mitigation for 442 properties in Edgecombe County, investing $5.2M in flood risk reduction.
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced March 2026.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Walnut Creek
Walnut Creek faces flood risk primarily from river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or upstream dam releases. When rivers exceed their banks, floodwaters spread across low-lying areas mapped in AE and A zones. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Walnut Creek are Zone AE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $11.4M.
Riverine flood risk in Walnut Creek is driven by the proximity and elevation of properties relative to nearby waterways. Properties closer to rivers with lower ground elevations typically face higher flood insurance premiums under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0. 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.
River flood maps can change when FEMA conducts new Flood Insurance Studies or when development alters drainage patterns. Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA) can remove individual properties if the natural ground elevation was always above the Base Flood Elevation and the property was inadvertently mapped in the SFHA. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Walnut Creek address.
Walnut Creek, NC Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Walnut Creek, NC?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Walnut Creek are Zone AE, 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 Walnut Creek?
If your Walnut Creek 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 Walnut Creek?
Enter your Walnut Creek 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.
What type of flooding affects Walnut Creek?
Walnut Creek is primarily affected by river and stream overflow during heavy rainfall. The most common FEMA flood zone designations are Zone AE, Zone X. Use the free lookup tool above to check the specific flood zone for any Walnut Creek address.
Has Walnut Creek experienced major flooding events?
Edgecombe County, where Walnut Creek is located, has been part of 15 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 Walnut Creek?
Edgecombe County has recorded 795 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $28.2M in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2016, with 333 claims and $16.3M in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Walnut Creek.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Walnut Creek?
Edgecombe County currently has 866 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $885. The most policies are in Zone AE (433 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Walnut Creek properties have flooded repeatedly?
Edgecombe County has 26 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 0 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Walnut Creek 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 Walnut Creek?
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 Walnut Creek's Zone AE 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
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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.