Camden County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 3th
Camden County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 2.5, 3th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and coastal flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Camden County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 2.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 3rd national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. 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 Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.28 events per year; coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at Low risk — $197K in expected annual loss and about 3.18 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $63K in expected annual loss and about 2.79 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 10K.
Beyond physical exposure, Camden County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Camden County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1996, including 16 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, Camden County ranks #100 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.28 / yr | $1M |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 3.18 / yr | $197K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 2.79 / yr | $63K |
| Drought | Low | 0.62 / yr | $50K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 7.00 / yr | $133K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 42.81 / yr | $86K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $175K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.66 / yr | $11K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.53 / yr | $128K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.61 / yr | $117K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.45 / yr | $35K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.46 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $3 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Camden County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1996, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (16), 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 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Camden County?
Camden County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 2.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 3th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Camden County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $1M EAL), Coastal Flood (Low, $197K EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $63K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Camden County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Camden County ranks #100 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Camden County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Camden County since 1996, most often 16 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. Camden County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.