Catawba County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 81th
Catawba County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 80.6, 81th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $45M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Catawba County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 80.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 81st national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Catawba County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 1.66 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.18 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $45M in expected annual loss for a population of 161K.
Beyond physical exposure, Catawba County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Catawba County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 7 for hurricane events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 100 North Carolina counties, Catawba County ranks #33 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.66 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.18 / yr | $6M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | High | 52.01 / yr | $993K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.00 / yr | $27M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.46 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 5.31 / yr | $579K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.54 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 0.44 / yr | $3K |
| Drought | Low | 29.41 / yr | $315K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 6.96 / yr | $98K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 0.69 / yr | $543K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $22K |
| 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 |
Disaster History
Catawba County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), Snowstorm (4), Tropical Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| October 2022 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ian |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaias |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| October 2013 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Catawba County?
Catawba County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 80.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 81th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Catawba County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $6M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $3M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Catawba County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Catawba County ranks #33 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Catawba County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Catawba County since 1977, most often 7 for hurricane events and 4 for snowstorm 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. Catawba County's $45M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.