Buncombe County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 89th
Buncombe County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 89.3, 89th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $82M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | High | 2.10 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | High | 3.79 / yr | $17M |
| Lightning | Very High | 55.06 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.85 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.76 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.43 / yr | $48M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.21 / yr | $4M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $447K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 14.97 / yr | $187K |
| Hail | Medium | 4.25 / yr | $728K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.02 / yr | $544K |
| Drought | Medium | 29.13 / yr | $409K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | 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 Buncombe County?
Buncombe County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 89.3 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 89th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Buncombe County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (High, $1M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $17M EAL), Lightning (Very High, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Buncombe County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Buncombe County ranks #18 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. Buncombe County's $82M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.