Photo: Rysnap1024 · CC BY-SA 4.0FEMA expects about as much hazard damage per building in Wake Forest as in the typical U.S. town, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wake Forest gets a B− for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns, #165 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). Flood insurance has paid 2 claims here since 2019.
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 Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest’s grade
River and rain flooding is 89% of the building damage FEMA expects in Wake Forest, and Wake Forest’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
B− #165 of 290 in North Carolina; higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Wake Forest’s residents live in 14 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, Wake Forest has more expected damage per building than 57% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $14.2M a year in losses across Wake Forest: $12.7M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Wake Forest flood? Rarely: 2 flood claims since 2019
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Wake Forest, from FEMA’s records: 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Debby1 claim · $7K
Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest
Disasters that paid out in Wake Forest itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Wake Forest), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Hurricane Matthew10 households applied for aid$69K to the Town of Wake Forest for repairs
- 2011Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding34 households applied for aid$57K aid approved
- 2003Hurricane Isabel17 households applied for aid$44K aid approved$52K to the Town of Wake Forest for repairs
- 2002Severe Ice Storm$335K to the Town of Wake Forest for repairs
- 2000Severe Winter Storm$15K to the Town of Wake Forest for repairs
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations$113K to the Town of Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Wake Forest archive →Wake Forest and its neighbors
Wake Forest is 3rd of the 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | B−less damage than 55% | river and rain flooding | 900 |
| 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 Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest
Is Wake Forest at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Wake Forest has higher expected damage per building than 54% of U.S. towns: B− for hazard risk, #165 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (89%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Wake Forest flood?
Flood insurance has paid 2 claims in Wake Forest since 2019, $21K in all, or 0.1 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 99% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 1 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Debby (1).
Is Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Wake Forest’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 Wake Forest?
By FEMA money that reached Wake Forest, Severe Ice Storm (2002): $335K to the Town of Wake Forest for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Debby: 1 paid, $7K.
Is Wake Forest at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (89%), and Wake Forest’s rate for it is higher than 74% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Wake Forest.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Wake Forest’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.