Enter any address in Wake County, North Carolina to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent type of flood event in Wake County, NC, with 281 occurrences in the last 30 years. For example, flash flooding was reported on August 6, 2025, and March 16, 2025, due to atmospheric conditions including upper-level disturbances and approaching cold fronts. Tropical storms and hurricanes have also contributed to flooding, with 13 such events recorded in the same period, resulting in 3 fatalities.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that Zone A, typically areas with higher flood risk, has the most claims at 845, with an average payout of $22,188 and an average water depth of 3.5 feet. Zone X, which includes areas of moderate flood risk, has 421 claims, with an average payout of $15,752 and a notable average water depth of 4.6 feet. Homeowners in Zone A and Zone X, as well as those in areas with unknown flood risk (Zone UNKNOWN), should pay particular attention to flood preparedness and insurance options.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
165 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Wake County, North Carolina has recorded 304 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 281 flash floods and 10 river or area floods. The county has received 26 federal disaster declarations. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1968–2026)
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 | Mar 16, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 14, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 11, 2025 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 11, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 11, 2025 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2025 | 4.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2025 | 2.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2025 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 9, 2025 | 3.00K |
Flash Flood — Mar 16, 2025
A deep mid-level trough and associated cold front approached from the west on the 16th. Ahead of the trough/front, surface dewpoints in the 60s spread into central North Carolina, with strong low-level and deep-layer shear. Two rounds of severe weather occurred from mid morning through the evening hours. Several reports of damaging winds and large hail were reported, along with isolated flash f...
Flash Flood — Aug 14, 2025
Within a very moist airmass, weak disturbances aloft from a trough to the northwest and tied to a southward moving cold front, showers and storms developed in the evening hours. Several reports of flash flooding were reported across Wake County.
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 — Jul 9, 2025
A weak trough of low pressure over the Ohio and Tennessee valley region was in place, along with very anomalous moisture over the Carolinas. Scattered showers and storms over the Appalachians become widespread as they moved into central North Carolina in the evening and overnight hours. Numerous wind and flash flooding reports were recorded over the region.
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...
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 Wake 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 Wake 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.