Photo: Abhiram Juvvadi · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Raleigh faces about as much hazard damage per building as the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Raleigh gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns, #125 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). Flood insurance has paid 900 claims here since 1978.
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 Raleigh’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
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
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 85% of the building damage FEMA expects in Raleigh, and Raleigh’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 66% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #125 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Raleigh’s residents live in 115 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, Raleigh has less expected damage per building than 57% of North Carolina towns.
Among the 400 U.S. cities of 100,000 or more, Raleigh has lower expected damage per building than 66% (#135 of 400). Because it is so big, its total expected yearly loss, $120M, is the 88th largest of those 400.
Does Raleigh flood? Yes: 900 flood claims since 1978
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Raleigh, from FEMA’s records: 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Fran262 claims · $7.5M
- Hurricane Floyd73 claims · $930K
- Hurricane Matthew55 claims · $2.8M
Raleigh is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Wake County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Raleigh
Disasters that paid out in Raleigh itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Raleigh), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Tropical Storm Helene158 households applied for aid$4K aid approved3 flood claims paid that year
- 2018Hurricane Florence14 households applied for aid$5K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $22K
- 2016Hurricane Matthew568 households applied for aid$377K aid approved55 flood claims paid for it, $2.8M
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding2,047 households applied for aid$1.6M aid approved$3.9M to the City of Raleigh for repairs11 flood claims paid that year
- 2003Hurricane Isabel342 households applied for aid$291K aid approved$850K to the City of Raleigh for repairs17 flood claims paid that year
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$9.7M to the City of Raleigh for repairs37 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$288K to the City of Raleigh for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$976K to the City of Raleigh for repairs73 flood claims paid for it, $930K
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 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 →Raleigh and its neighbors
Raleigh is 3rd of the 6 graded towns here, from least expected damage per building to most. 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 |
| Knightdale | B+less damage than 70% | river and rain flooding | 3 |
| Raleigh | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 900 |
| Durham | B−less damage than 53% | river and rain flooding | 276 |
| Cary | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 160 |
| Wake Forest | B−more damage than 54% | river and rain flooding | 2 |
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 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.
- 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.
- Raleigh residents get 25% off flood insurance.
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 lower expected damage per building than 55% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #125 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (85%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Raleigh flood?
Flood insurance has paid 900 claims in Raleigh since 1978, $25.3M in all, or 4.0 per 1,000 homes, more than 55% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 121 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Fran (262).
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 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 Raleigh?
Raleigh is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 5), which takes 25% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. 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, Severe Ice Storm (2002): $9.7M to the City of Raleigh for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Fran: 262 paid, $7.5M.
Is Raleigh at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (85%), and Raleigh’s rate for it is higher than 66% 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.