Cherokee County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 57th
Cherokee County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 56.7, 57th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Cherokee County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 56.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 57th 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.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $230K in expected annual loss and about 2.00 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $349K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $809K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 29K.
Beyond physical exposure, Cherokee County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Cherokee County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1974, including 5 for hurricane events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 100 North Carolina counties, Cherokee County ranks #72 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 2.00 / yr | $230K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $349K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $809K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.22 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.61 / yr | $9M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.73 / yr | $136K |
| Lightning | Medium | 59.94 / yr | $286K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.21 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $136K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.48 / yr | $418K |
| Hail | Low | 3.87 / yr | $167K |
| Drought | Low | 30.58 / yr | $36K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.79 / yr | $22K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $7K |
| 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
Cherokee County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1974, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Snowstorm (3), 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 |
| May 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Cherokee County?
Cherokee County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 56.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 57th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Cherokee County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $230K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $349K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $809K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Cherokee County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Cherokee County ranks #72 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Cherokee County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Cherokee County since 1974, most often 5 for hurricane events and 3 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. Cherokee County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.