George and Neva Barbee House · Photo: Matheny.michelle · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Zebulon than in 81% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Zebulon gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns, #20 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%). Flood insurance has paid 10 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 Zebulon 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
Hurricanes
Hail
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 Zebulon’s grade
River and rain flooding is 77% of the building damage FEMA expects in Zebulon, and Zebulon’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hurricanes at 7% (higher than 69% of U.S. census tracts).
A− #20 of 290 in North Carolina; lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Zebulon’s residents live in 3 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, Zebulon has less expected damage per building than 93% of North Carolina towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.6M a year in losses across Zebulon: $1.3M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Zebulon flood? Sometimes: 10 flood claims since 1999
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Zebulon, from FEMA’s records: 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Floyd4 claims · $168K
- Hurricane Matthew3 claims · $4K
Zebulon 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.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Zebulon
Disasters that paid out in Zebulon itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Town of Zebulon), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2016Hurricane Matthew55 households applied for aid$17K aid approved3 flood claims paid for it, $4K
- 2003Hurricane Isabel33 households applied for aid$35K aid approved
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 Zebulon after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Zebulon archive →Zebulon and its neighbors
Zebulon 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zebulon | A−less damage than 81% | river and rain flooding | 10 |
| Wendell | Bless damage than 59% | river and rain flooding | 8 |
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 Zebulon 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Zebulon
Is Zebulon at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Zebulon has lower expected damage per building than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #20 of 290 in North Carolina. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (77%) and hurricanes (7%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Zebulon flood?
Flood insurance has paid 10 claims in Zebulon since 1999, $187K in all, or 2.9 per 1,000 homes, fewer than 53% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. The most claims came from Hurricane Floyd (4).
Is Zebulon 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 Zebulon?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Zebulon’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 Zebulon?
By FEMA money that reached Zebulon, Hurricane Isabel (2003): 33 households applied for aid, $35K approved. By flood claims, Hurricane Floyd: 4 paid, $168K.
Is Zebulon at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (77%), and Zebulon’s rate for it is lower than 63% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Zebulon.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Zebulon’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.