Carteret County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 93th
Carteret County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 93.5, 93th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $129M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Carteret County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 93.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 93rd 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very High risk — $109M in expected annual loss and about 0.46 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $585K in expected annual loss and about 2.16 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $129M in expected annual loss for a population of 68K.
Beyond physical exposure, Carteret County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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: Carteret County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1993, including 23 for hurricane events and 3 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 100 North Carolina counties, Carteret County ranks #7 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Very High | 0.46 / yr | $109M |
| Winter Weather | High | 2.16 / yr | $585K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Coastal Flood | High | 3.29 / yr | $4M |
| Lightning | Medium | 51.75 / yr | $655K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.54 / yr | $257K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.82 / yr | $879K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.14 / yr | $10M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.81 / yr | $483K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.60 / yr | $989K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $162K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.38 / yr | $540K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $260 |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.36 / yr | $14K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.62 / yr | $79K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Carteret County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1993, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (23), Tropical Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| October 2024 | Tropical Storm | Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| October 2022 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ian |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaias |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaias |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
Showing the 10 most recent of 30 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Carteret County?
Carteret County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 93.5 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 93th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Carteret County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Very High, $109M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $585K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Carteret County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Carteret County ranks #7 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Carteret County had?
FEMA records 30 federal disaster declarations for Carteret County since 1993, most often 23 for hurricane events and 3 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. Carteret County's $129M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.