New Hill Historic District · Photo: KimWrenn · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Apex than in 69% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Apex gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns, #59 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2017.
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 Apex 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
Hail
Hurricanes
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 Apex’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Apex, and Apex’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 6% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
B+ #59 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Apex’s residents live in 17 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical North Carolina town has lower expected damage than 51% of U.S. towns; within the state, Apex has less expected damage per building than 80% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.5M a year in losses across Apex: $12.5M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Apex flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2017
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Apex, from FEMA’s records: 0.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Apex isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Wake County.5 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Apex
Disasters that paid out in Apex itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Apex), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Hurricane Matthew20 households applied for aid$6K aid approved$36K to the Town of Apex for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding87 households applied for aid$150K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel11 households applied for aid$11K aid approved$81K to the Town of Apex for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$257K to the Town of Apex for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$24K to the Town of Apex for repairs
Wake County has had 22 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Apex after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Apex archive →Apex and its neighbors
Apex has the lowest expected damage per building of the 3 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apex | B+less damage than 69% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| Holly Springs | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 12 |
| Cary | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 160 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Apex 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Apex
Is Apex at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Apex has lower expected damage per building than 69% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #59 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%) and hail (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Apex flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Apex since 2017, $1K in all, or 0.0 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 100% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
Is Apex 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 Wake County, 46% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.8% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Apex?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Apex’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 Apex?
By FEMA money that reached Apex, Severe Ice Storm (2002): $257K to the Town of Apex for repairs.
Is Apex at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Apex’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Apex.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Apex’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.