Catawba County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
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
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 |
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.
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.