Wake Forest, NC
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Wake Forest is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Wake County, NC. The county's highest-rated hazards are hail, inland flooding, and heat wave.
Storm events near Wake Forest
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Wake Forest's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Wake Forest itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Wake County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Wake Forest along with the rest of the county, not a Wake Forest-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 57.4 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 97.7 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 87.8 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 96.9 | Relatively High |
| Tornado | 95.3 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 82.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 51.1 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 98.5 | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | 89.9 | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | 90.2 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 71.1 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 91.7 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 49.3 | Relatively Low |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 84.6 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Wake County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Wake County:
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Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Wake Forest, NC at risk of?
Wake Forest is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Wake County, where Wake Forest is located, are hail, inland flooding, and heat wave.
What is Wake Forest's biggest natural hazard risk?
Hail is the highest-rated hazard for Wake County, where Wake Forest is located, scoring 98.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Wake Forest a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Wake Forest carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Wake County.
Has Wake Forest had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 11 tornado, 138 hail, 225 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Wake Forest since 2016.