Click HERE for a very important message.
The Atlantic Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 each year. While we call this “Hurricane Season”, tropical storms can be very dangerous too and they are included in this hurricane data. A hurricane can form outside of hurricane season. Historically, Fall is the most active part of hurricane season. September is the busiest month for hurricanes. According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data, from 1851 to 2024, there were 2064 tropical storms in the Atlantic. 154 of those became U.S. landfalling hurricanes. The busiest month was September with 721 total with 63 of those being U.S. landfalling. Next was August with 448 and 45. Then October with 437 and 30. Conversely, July had 146 and 6 and November had 125 and 2. August is almost here!
Our proximity to the Atlantic coast, combined with the low elevation above sea level for large parts of our town, makes River Bend vulnerable to impacts from Hurricanes. A tropical system does not need to develop into a hurricane to cause damage in River Bend, particularly in the special flood hazard area (SFHA), commonly called the “flood zone.”
Because of these facts, if you live in River Bend, you should consider purchasing flood insurance. You can obtain a policy from a local agent, through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The Town of River Bend is a participant in the Community Rating System (CRS) of the NFIP. In short, that means that the town maintains records and files on flood zone properties, has and enforces a local flood damage prevention ordinance and meets other annual minimums to be a CRS town. Our CRS status means that River Bend residents who live in the SFHA are eligible for a 10% discount on annual flood insurance policy premiums.
Our records indicate that 503 homes in River Bend were flooded during Hurricane Florence, which made landfall on September 14, 2018. Many homes were flooded and did not have flood insurance. Currently, there are 570 flood insurance policies in effect in River Bend. There are 488 homes located in the SFHA in River Bend. That does not necessarily mean that 100% of the homes in the SFHA are covered. It is important to note that being located outside of a SFHA on the map does not mean that your home is safe from flooding. It just means that the risk of flooding is lower. On a personal note, my home is not located in a SFHA, but it is close. I can see the SFHA from my front porch. Just to be safe, I maintain flood insurance.
Of the currently insured homes in River Bend, cumulatively, those polices have total annual premiums of $614,756 and are insured for a total of $146,601,000. On average, each policy owner pays $1,078 in annual premium and is insured for $257,194. Typically, regular homeowner’s insurance does not cover damage from rising waters (flooding). If you are uncertain about your insurance coverage, you should contact your agent now. Do not wait until after the storm to learn that you are not covered.
It is true that flood insurance is like most other types of insurance, in that there may be many years that you pay the premium and never have a claim. Based on the figures above, a $257,194 claim in River Bend would pay for 238 years’ worth of the $1,078 annual premium. I strongly encourage every River Bend resident who is in or close to the SFHA to consider purchasing flood insurance. Flood insurance typically does not go into effect until 30 days after it is purchased. If you wait until a tropical storm or hurricane is projected to impact River Bend, it may be too late. Are you ready? If not, what are you waiting for?