Bladen County

North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Medium

Composite Risk Score

84.6

National percentile: 85th

Bladen County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 84.6, 85th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $39M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $39M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Low Capacity to recover
Population 30K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Strong Wind
High $3M/yr
Hurricane
High $22M/yr
Wildfire
Low $487K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Strong Wind High 2.37 / yr $3M
Hurricane High 0.29 / yr $22M
Wildfire Low 0.00 / yr $487K
Tornado Medium 0.57 / yr $3M
Winter Weather Medium 2.37 / yr $132K
Ice Storm Medium 0.85 / yr $173K
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $575K
Riverine Flood Low 0.71 / yr $8M
Heat Wave Low 8.21 / yr $543K
Lightning Medium 55.43 / yr $253K
Hail Low 3.53 / yr $233K
Drought Low 9.55 / yr $117K
Cold Wave Low 0.47 / yr $688K
Landslide Very Low 0.14 / yr $200
Coastal Flood Very Low 0.01 / yr $106
Avalanche 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 Bladen County?

Bladen County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 84.6 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 85th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Bladen County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Hurricane (High, $22M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $487K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Bladen County compare to other North Carolina counties?

Bladen County ranks #27 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Bladen County's $39M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.