Bladen County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
MediumComposite Risk Score
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
Risk Overview
Bladen County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 84.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 85th 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.
Most of Bladen County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 2.37 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at High risk — $22M in expected annual loss and about 0.29 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $487K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $39M in expected annual loss for a population of 30K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bladen County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Bladen County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 19 for hurricane events and 2 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 100 North Carolina counties, Bladen County ranks #27 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
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 |
Disaster History
Bladen County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (19), Tropical Storm (2), Biological (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 |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaias |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
| September 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
Showing the 10 most recent of 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has Bladen County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Bladen County since 1977, most often 19 for hurricane events and 2 for tropical 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. Bladen County's $39M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.