Enter any address in Franklin County, North Carolina to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent type of flood event in Franklin County, NC, accounting for 41 events in the last 30 years. This type of flooding has been observed in August 2025, with heavy rainfall causing widespread issues. Hurricanes and tropical storms have also impacted the county, with 11 such events recorded in the same period.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the most claims, with an average payout of $10,149 and an average water depth of 0.8 feet. Properties in Zone X also have claims, averaging $3,672 with a 1.0-foot water depth. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those in areas with unknown flood risk, should pay close attention to flood potential.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
25 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Franklin County, North Carolina has recorded 57 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 41 flash floods and 5 river or area floods. The county has received 23 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1977–2026)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm | Winter Storm | Jan 21, 2026 |
| Hurricane Helene | Tropical Storm | Sep 25, 2024 |
| Tropical Storm Debby | Tropical Storm | Aug 5, 2024 |
| Hurricane Ian | Hurricane | Sep 28, 2022 |
| Hurricane Isaias | Hurricane | Jul 31, 2020 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Hurricane Dorian | Hurricane | Sep 1, 2019 |
| Hurricane Florence | Hurricane | Sep 7, 2018 |
| Hurricane Matthew | Hurricane | Oct 4, 2016 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 11, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 11, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 6, 2025 | 3.00K |
| Flood | Jul 12, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2024 | 4.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2024 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2024 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 3, 2024 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 3, 2024 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 3, 2024 | 2.00K |
Flash Flood — Aug 11, 2025
A weak frontal zone was oriented southwest to northeast across central North Carolina. Scattered showers and storms developed during the late afternoon and evening within a highly anomalous moisture environment. Some training storms led to several instances of flash flooding over the eastern and northeastern Piedmont, especially across Wake County.
Flash Flood — Aug 6, 2025
Within cool northeasterly surface flow, several upper-level disturbances tracked across central North Carolina from a persistent weak trough of low pressure over the Ohio Valley region. Copious amounts of moisture remained from the 5th of August. A wedge front was also in place along Interstate 95. Several reports of flash flooding were reported over the eastern Piedmont and northern Coastal Pl...
Flood — Jul 12, 2024
A stalled frontal boundary over eastern sections of North Carolina retrograded westward during the afternoon and evening as a surface low formed along the front. Ongoing showers and storms become more numerous in the late morning and into the early evening hours. Heavy embedded storms were particularly prevalent across Wake and Orange Counties, leading to isolated flash flooding.
Flash Flood — Aug 8, 2024
Tropical Depression Debby slowly made its way through Florida, off the South Carolina coast, then back inland through the western Piedmont of North Carolina during the evening hours of 8 August 2024. Ahead of the storm, numerous feeder bands brought periods of heavy rain to central North Carolina, resulting in widespread 4-6 inch rainfall amounts across the western Piedmont, with higher amounts...
Flash Flood — Aug 3, 2024
A stalled front over the lower Ohio and eastern Tennessee valleys moved into western North Carolina. Showers and thunderstorms initially developed over the Piedmont of North Carolina, congealing into a line of severe storms that produced numerous downed trees and power lines. Flash flooding also occurred in the urban area of Raleigh, Durham, and in Franklin County. An EF1 Tornado also developed...
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Franklin County, North Carolina:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Franklin County, North Carolina that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.