Wake Forest, North Carolina: natural disaster risk
How exposed Wake Forest is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Wake County.
Wake Forest is a city of 52,844 people in Wake County, North Carolina. Parts of Wake Forest also reach into Franklin County. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Wake County relatively high for natural hazards overall, higher than most of the US. The costliest hazards there are inland flooding, tornado and heat wave, with about $299 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 1,585 storm reports in the county since 1950, including 40 tornadoes and 298 floods. NOAA hurricane records show 4 hurricanes and 34 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the county's center. About 0.8% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for Wake County, the county with most of the population Wake Forest sits in. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Wake Forest
Full Wake County report ›- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Pick a shelter spot: a basement, or an inside room on the lowest floor with no windows.
- Turn on emergency alerts on your phone and keep a weather radio.
- Check that cooling works before summer.
- Know where the nearest cooling center is.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $222M | |
| Tornado | $20M | |
| Heat wave | $15M | |
| Hail | $13M | |
| Hurricane | $12M | |
| Cold wave | $7M | |
| Earthquake | $6M | |
| Lightning | $2M | |
| Ice storm | $2M | |
| Strong wind | $861K | |
| Winter weather | $425K | |
| Drought | $248K |
Homes in Wake Forest
Older homes and mobile homes usually take more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes. Ask about roof age, flood history and retrofits before you buy or rent.
Strongest tornadoes in Wake County
More cities in Wake County
Other cities in North Carolina
All ›Common questions about Wake Forest
Is Wake Forest safe from natural disasters?
Wake Forest is in Wake County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively high overall, higher than most of the US. The biggest hazards are inland flooding, tornado, heat wave. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in Wake Forest?
By expected yearly losses in Wake County, the top hazards are inland flooding (High), tornado (High), heat wave (High). Wake County has been part of 24 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does Wake Forest get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 40 tornadoes in Wake County since 1950; the strongest was an F4 tornado on November 28, 1988. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county high.
Do I need flood insurance in Wake Forest?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In Wake County, about 0.8% of homes have federal flood insurance, and FEMA rates inland flooding risk high. Check the FEMA flood map for your address and get a quote even outside a high-risk zone.