Beaufort County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 88th
Beaufort County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 88.2, 88th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $54M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Beaufort County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 88.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 88th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at High risk — $40M in expected annual loss and about 0.36 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $469K in expected annual loss and about 3.42 events per year; and coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at Medium risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 2.61 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $54M in expected annual loss for a population of 45K.
Beyond physical exposure, Beaufort County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Beaufort County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 22 for hurricane events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 100 North Carolina counties, Beaufort County ranks #20 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.36 / yr | $40M |
| Winter Weather | High | 3.42 / yr | $469K |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 2.61 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.65 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 52.36 / yr | $403K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.53 / yr | $708K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 0.92 / yr | $651K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $98K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.68 / yr | $6M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.61 / yr | $81K |
| Drought | Low | 2.41 / yr | $95K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $186K |
| Hail | Low | 2.37 / yr | $133K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.42 / yr | $418K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $213 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Beaufort County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (22), Severe Storm (3), Tropical Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| October 2022 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ian |
| March 2021 | Severe Storm | Tropical Storm Eta |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaias |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaias |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
Showing the 10 most recent of 32 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Beaufort County?
Beaufort County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 88.2 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 88th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Beaufort County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $40M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $469K EAL), Coastal Flood (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Beaufort County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Beaufort County ranks #20 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Beaufort County had?
FEMA records 32 federal disaster declarations for Beaufort County since 1968, most often 22 for hurricane events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in January 2026.
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. Beaufort County's $54M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.