Chartered in 1760 and the Edgecombe County seat since 1764, Tarboro lies at the fall line on the western edge of the coastal plain, only about 62 feet above sea level. Its 45-block historic district holds more than 300 contributing buildings, including a house from around 1785, the 1808 Blount-Bridgers House and many homes from the late 1800s and early 1900s, all clustered near the 15-acre Town Common.
If flooding, a leak or a fire has damaged your property, call (866) 937-3230. Fire & Water Energy is a referral service: we try to put you in touch with an independent restoration contractor serving Edgecombe County, though availability depends on those local firms. Our how it works page and referral disclosure explain exactly where our role begins and ends.
Living in a river bend: Floyd, Matthew and the Tar
Hurricane Floyd in 1999 is the benchmark. The Tar River topped 500-year flood levels along its lower stretches and crested 24 feet above flood stage, flooding much of downtown Tarboro. Across the river, Princeville sat under more than 20 feet of water for ten days. Because the river surrounds roughly half of town, low-lying blocks near the banks remain the most exposed.
Since 2000, FEMA has declared six major disasters covering Edgecombe County: a Severe Winter Storm (2000), a Severe Ice Storm (2002), Hurricane Isabel (2003), Hurricane Irene (2011), Hurricane Matthew (2016) and Tropical Storm Eta (2021). Climate normals show September is the wettest month at more than 6 inches, right in the heart of hurricane season, and the town averages nearly 48 inches of precipitation a year.
Old houses, humid summers and water damage repair
The largest part of the historic district dates from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and houses of that age often have crawl spaces, plaster walls, old wood floors and plumbing patched over decades. Pipes in crawl spaces can freeze during January cold snaps, when average lows dip to about 30 degrees, and long, hot summers bring air conditioner condensate leaks and stressed water heaters.
Water damage restoration in Tarboro typically means stopping the leak, extracting standing water, removing materials that cannot be saved, and drying carefully with dehumidifiers. Historic plaster and old-growth wood hold up better under controlled, monitored drying rather than blasting heat. Our water damage repair and structural drying pages go further.
Federal disaster declarations that included Edgecombe County
FEMA records show Edgecombe County was included in 6 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (3 hurricane, 2 severe storm, 1 severe ice storm, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Tarboro was affected. The most recent:
- 2021 – Tropical Storm Eta (DR-4588)
- 2016 – Hurricane Matthew (DR-4285)
- 2011 – Hurricane Irene (DR-4019)
- 2003 – Hurricane Isabel (DR-1490)
- 2002 – Severe Ice Storm (DR-1448)
- 2000 – Severe Winter Storm (DR-1312)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved 2026-10-10. Counts include major disaster (DR) declarations with hurricane, flood, severe storm, tropical storm, fire, tornado, coastal storm, winter or ice storm, mudslide and dam/levee incident types.
Water, fire or storm damage in Tarboro?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Tarboro property.
Fire and smoke in a historic district
Wood-frame houses and antebellum structures can burn fast and hold smoke in porous materials like plaster, unfinished wood and old insulation. Fires during winter, when space heaters and fireplaces are in use, are a particular concern in older homes.
After officials release the building, a restoration contractor will usually secure it, remove charred debris, clean soot from surfaces and contents and deodorize. For a contributing structure in the historic district, ask about experience with older materials and whether any exterior work needs local review before it begins. We describe the stages on our fire damage cleanup and smoke damage cleanup pages.
River flooding and hurricane cleanup in Edgecombe County
When a tropical system stalls over the Tar River basin, the river can keep rising for days after the rain stops as water arrives from upstream. Homes near the banks may take water into crawl spaces or living areas, and saturated ground lets wind topple big trees like the tall oaks on the Town Common.
River floodwater is Category 3, carrying sewage and chemicals. Contractors commonly remove drywall and insulation to above the waterline, pull wet flooring, disinfect, and dry the framing completely before rebuilding. See flood damage restoration and hurricane damage cleanup for what that work involves.
Keeping mold out of older Tarboro homes
With July highs near 89 degrees and a wet late summer, mold can grow within a day or two on damp wood, drywall and insulation. Crawl spaces under older houses are especially vulnerable after a flood or plumbing leak.
The EPA notes that areas smaller than about 10 square feet can often be cleaned by a homeowner, but larger growth, or any mold left by floodwater, calls for a professional using containment and HEPA filtration. Visit mold remediation for more.
Flood-season safety for Tarboro residents
- Call 911 for fire, injury, gas odor or downed power lines.
- Heed evacuation orders when the Tar River is forecast to rise, and never drive through flooded streets.
- Do not reenter a flooded house until power is off and the structure is judged safe.
- Follow Edgecombe County emergency management and Town of Tarboro announcements during storms.
- Photograph damage, keep receipts and check with your insurer or agent; flood damage normally requires a separate flood policy.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Areas in and around Tarboro that callers often mention include:
- Tarboro Historic District
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Tarboro):
- Rocky Mount · 15 mi
- Greenville · 22 mi
- Wilson · 24 mi
- Winterville · 27 mi
- Washington · 36 mi
- Roanoke Rapids · 40 mi
Tarboro restoration FAQs
How bad was flooding in Tarboro during Hurricane Floyd?
In 1999 the Tar River crested 24 feet above flood stage and exceeded 500-year flood levels on its lower stretches. Much of downtown was under several feet of water, and Princeville across the river was submerged for ten days.
When is flood risk highest?
Late summer and early fall. September is the wettest month on average, and the hurricane-related declarations for Edgecombe County include Isabel, Irene, Matthew and Tropical Storm Eta.
Can historic homes near the Town Common be restored after water damage?
Usually, but plaster, old wood floors and original trim need slow, monitored drying, and exterior changes in the historic district may require review. Before hiring, find out how many pre-1900 houses the contractor has dried out.
How does calling (866) 937-3230 work?
Tell us what happened and we try to connect you with an independent restoration contractor serving Edgecombe County. Fire & Water Energy is a referral service, so the contractor sets its own schedule, pricing and scope.
Restoration guides
- Flood Damage Restoration
- Hurricane Damage Cleanup
- Water Damage Repair
- Structural Drying
- Fire Damage Cleanup
- Mold Remediation