riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Wake County Disaster Risk

Wake County, North Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively High

National Percentile

96th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#4

of 100 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

98th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively High

Higher than 98% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 88% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Wake County

Risk Verdict

Wake County carries a relatively high overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 96th percentile nationally. This places it among the most at-risk counties in the United States. Residents should prioritize comprehensive emergency preparedness, including reviewing insurance coverage and having an evacuation plan.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is the dominant hazard for Wake County, scoring in the 98th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 95th percentile. Additional hazards include hurricane (90th), earthquake (88th), wildfire (57th).

Preparedness Context

With flood risk as the top concern, Wake County residents should review flood insurance needs (standard home insurance does not cover flood damage), know your evacuation zone, and keep important documents waterproofed. Secondary risks such as tornado also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Wake County is significantly riskier than the average county in North Carolina. Its composite risk score is 28.8 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Wake County, NC?
Wake County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively High, placing it in the 96th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Wake County?
Wake County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (98th percentile), tornado (95th percentile), hurricane (90th percentile), earthquake (88th percentile), wildfire (57th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 98th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Wake County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Wake County's composite risk percentile is 96th, compared to the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Wake County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Carolina.
Is Wake County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Wake County's flooding risk is at the 98th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Why is Wake County higher risk than average?
Wake County's composite risk score of 96th percentile is above the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (98th percentile), along with tornado and hurricane and earthquake and wildfire risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Brunswick County

North Carolina

+0.2

Relatively High

96th percentile

New Hanover County

North Carolina

+0.6

Relatively High

96th percentile

Onslow County

North Carolina

-0.6

Relatively High

95th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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