Caldwell County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 67th
Caldwell County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 67.4, 67th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $25M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.28 / yr | $56K |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.13 / yr | $732K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.18 / yr | $18M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.70 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 53.37 / yr | $482K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $373K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.17 / yr | $2M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $50K |
| Drought | Low | 29.09 / yr | $146K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.32 / yr | $922K |
| Hail | Low | 4.75 / yr | $218K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 0.19 / yr | $210K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.73 / yr | $37K |
| 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 Caldwell County?
Caldwell County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 67.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 67th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Caldwell County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $56K EAL), Ice Storm (High, $732K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $18M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Caldwell County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Caldwell County ranks #56 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. Caldwell County's $25M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.