Walnut Hill Historic District · Photo: Nicholas Oren Rawlings · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA puts Knightdale’s expected hazard damage per building below that of 70% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Knightdale gets a B+ for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns, #58 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (82%). Flood insurance has paid 3 claims here since 1999.
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 Knightdale 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
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 Knightdale’s grade
River and rain flooding is 82% of the building damage FEMA expects in Knightdale, and Knightdale’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+ #58 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Knightdale’s residents live in 5 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, Knightdale has less expected damage per building than 80% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $3.5M a year in losses across Knightdale: $2.9M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Knightdale flood? Rarely: 3 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Knightdale, from FEMA’s records: 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd2 claims · $17K
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $14K
Knightdale 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.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Knightdale
Disasters that paid out in Knightdale itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Knightdale), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Hurricane Matthew47 households applied for aid$25K aid approved$51K to the Town of Knightdale for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $14K
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding7 households applied for aid$8K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel16 households applied for aid$7K aid approved$13K to the Town of Knightdale for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$37K to the Town of Knightdale for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$18K to the Town of Knightdale for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$15K to the Town of Knightdale for repairs2 flood claims paid for it, $17K
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 Knightdale after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Knightdale archive →Knightdale and its neighbors
Knightdale has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knightdale | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| 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 Knightdale 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.
- 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 Knightdale
Is Knightdale at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Knightdale has lower expected damage per building than 70% of U.S. towns: B+ for hazard risk, #58 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 Knightdale flood?
Flood insurance has paid 3 claims in Knightdale since 1999, $31K in all, or 0.4 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 93% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (2).
Is Knightdale 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 Knightdale?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Knightdale’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 Knightdale?
By FEMA money that reached Knightdale, Hurricane Matthew (2016): 47 households applied for aid, $25K approved, and $51K to the Town of Knightdale for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 2 paid, $17K.
Is Knightdale at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (82%), and Knightdale’s rate for it is higher than 52% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Knightdale.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Knightdale’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.