Photo: Mkrpowers · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Rolesville as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rolesville gets a B− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns, #137 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). Flood insurance has paid 1 claim here since 2016.
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 Rolesville 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 Rolesville’s grade
River and rain flooding is 88% of the building damage FEMA expects in Rolesville, and Rolesville’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #137 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Rolesville’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, Rolesville has less expected damage per building than 53% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $2.5M a year in losses across Rolesville: $2.2M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Rolesville flood? Rarely: 1 flood claim since 2016
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Rolesville, from FEMA’s records: 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Matthew1 claim · $17K
Rolesville 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 Rolesville
Disasters that paid out in Rolesville itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Rolesville), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding12 households applied for aid$10K aid approved$50K to the Town of Rolesville for repairs
- 2003Hurricane Isabel$3K to the Town of Rolesville for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$46K to the Town of Rolesville for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$2K to the Town of Rolesville for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$4K to the Town of Rolesville 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 Rolesville after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Rolesville archive →Rolesville and its neighbors
Rolesville 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rolesville | B−less damage than 52% | river and rain flooding | 1 |
| 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 Rolesville 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.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Rolesville
Is Rolesville at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Rolesville has lower expected damage per building than 52% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #137 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (88%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Rolesville flood?
Flood insurance has paid 1 claim in Rolesville since 2016, $17K in all, or 0.3 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 95% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Matthew (1).
Is Rolesville 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 Rolesville?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Rolesville’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 Rolesville?
By FEMA money that reached Rolesville, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2011): 12 households applied for aid, $10K approved, and $50K to the Town of Rolesville for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Matthew: 1 paid, $17K.
Is Rolesville at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (88%), and Rolesville’s rate for it is higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Rolesville.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Rolesville’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.