Avery County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 47th
Avery County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 47.5, 47th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.77 / yr | $205K |
| Lightning | Medium | 52.72 / yr | $408K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.73 / yr | $188K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.14 / yr | $8M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.97 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $180K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $224K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.76 / yr | $309K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.07 / yr | $601K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 25.81 / yr | $24K |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.03 / yr | $80K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 24.83 / yr | $0 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Avery County?
Avery County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 47.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 47th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Avery County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $205K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $408K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $188K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Avery County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Avery County ranks #80 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Avery County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.