Photo: Natalie Maynor · CC BY 2.0Raleigh’s building-damage rate from tornadoes is in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Raleigh gets a C+ for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%), then tornadoes (20%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Raleigh faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Hurricanes
Hail
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Raleigh’s grade
River and rain flooding is 43% of the building damage FEMA expects in Raleigh, and Raleigh’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 20%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
C+ higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Raleigh’s residents live in 2 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $708K a year in losses across Raleigh: $481K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Raleigh flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Raleigh. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Raleigh isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Smith County.3 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Raleigh
Disasters that paid out in Raleigh itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Raleigh), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2025Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding51 households applied for aid$303K aid approved
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding21 households applied for aid$38K aid approved
- 2005Hurricane Katrina798 households applied for aid$501K aid approved$36K to the Town of Raleigh for repairs
Smith County has had 20 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then hurricanes and tropical storms.
Old photos of Raleigh after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Raleigh archive →Get ready for what Raleigh faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Raleigh
Is Raleigh at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Raleigh has higher expected damage per building than 64% of U.S. towns: C+ for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (43%) and tornadoes (20%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Raleigh in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Smith County, 6% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Raleigh?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Raleigh’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Raleigh?
By FEMA money that reached Raleigh, Hurricane Katrina (2005): 798 households applied for aid, $501K approved, and $36K to the Town of Raleigh for repairs.
Is Raleigh at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (43%), and Raleigh’s rate for it is lower than 65% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Raleigh.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Raleigh’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.