Photo: Mikeiamunion21 · CC BY-SA 3.0On FEMA’s figures, Garner faces less hazard damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Garner gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns, #27 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%). Flood insurance has paid 27 claims here since 1989.
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 stands out about Garner’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Garner 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
Tornadoes
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 Garner’s grade
River and rain flooding is 79% of the building damage FEMA expects in Garner, and Garner’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 6% (higher than 84% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #27 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Garner’s residents live in 12 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, Garner has less expected damage per building than 91% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $6.3M a year in losses across Garner: $5.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Garner flood? Sometimes: 27 flood claims since 1989
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Garner, from FEMA’s records: 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran9 claims · $53K
- Hurricane Eta2 claims · $27K
- Hurricane Matthew2 claims · $55K
Garner 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.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Garner
Disasters that paid out in Garner itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Garner), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2018Hurricane Florence18 households applied for aid$5K aid approved
- 2016Hurricane Matthew135 households applied for aid$135K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $55K
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$2K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel17 households applied for aid$27K aid approved$31K to the Town of Garner for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$263K to the Town of Garner for repairs1 flood claim paid that year
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$6K to the Town of Garner for repairs
Show all 7
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$26K to the Town of Garner for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $727
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 Garner after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Garner archive →Garner and its neighbors
Garner 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garner | A−less damage than 78% | river and rain flooding | 27 |
| Fuquay-Varina | Bless damage than 57% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
| Raleigh | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 900 |
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 Garner 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.
- 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.
- 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 Garner
Is Garner at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Garner has lower expected damage per building than 78% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #27 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (79%) and hail (6%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Garner flood?
Flood insurance has paid 27 claims in Garner since 1989, $245K in all, or 1.8 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 64% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 5 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (9).
Is Garner 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 Garner?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Garner’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 Garner?
By FEMA money that reached Garner, Severe Ice Storm (2002): $263K to the Town of Garner for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 9 paid, $53K.
Is Garner at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (79%), and Garner’s rate for it is lower than 58% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Garner.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Garner’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.