Enter any address in Wayne County, North Carolina to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding from thunderstorms is the most frequent flood event in Wayne County, NC, accounting for 50 incidents over the last 30 years, with hurricanes, tropical storms, and general floods also contributing. Recent flash flooding events occurred in August 2025, driven by atmospheric conditions including cold fronts and high moisture content, leading to reports of downed trees, power lines, and minor flooding. Another event in August 2024, associated with Tropical Depression Debby, brought widespread heavy rainfall to the region.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data shows that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $42,476 and an average water depth of 1.6 feet. While Zone X also sees significant claims, properties in Zone X_UNSHADED have experienced the deepest average water levels at 4.0 feet, despite fewer claims. Homeowners in Zone A, Zone X_UNSHADED, and those in areas with unknown flood zone designations should pay particular attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
32 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Wayne County, North Carolina has recorded 66 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 50 flash floods and 5 river or area floods. The county has received 28 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 |
| Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding | Severe Storm | Feb 6, 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 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Aug 11, 2025 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 1, 2025 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 30, 2024 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 30, 2024 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 27, 2024 | 50.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 27, 2024 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2024 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 8, 2024 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Dec 17, 2023 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 7, 2023 | 0.00K |
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 1, 2025
An atypical early August backdoor cold front settled south through North Carolina, as a large cool area of high pressure centered over the Great Lakes nosed southward into central North Carolina. The passage of multiple upper level disturbances over eastern North America coupled with high moisture content and moderate instability supported numerous showers and storms. Sporadic downed trees and ...
Flash Flood — Aug 30, 2024
A frontal boundary moving south from east-central Virginia into central North Carolina combined with a disturbance aloft and produced numerous showers and storms in the afternoon to late evening hours. Storms initially formed over the eastern Piedmont and Coastal Plain, congealing and tracking west-southwestward in the evening hours over the western and southern Piedmont and Sandhills. Numerous...
Flash Flood — Sep 27, 2024
Hurricane Helene weakened to a strong tropical storm on the morning of 27 September across northeast Georgia. Helene continued to track to the west and northwest into the Tennessee Valley. Widespread rainfall totals of 2-4 inches of rain fell over central North Carolina, along with wind gusts of 25-45 mph. Additionally, four tornadoes occurred, with the strongest an EF3, touching down over Rock...
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...
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 Wayne 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 Wayne 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.