Clay County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 27th
Clay County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 26.9, 27th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Clay County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 26.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 27th 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.
Risk here concentrates in landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $41K in expected annual loss and about 0.78 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $66K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $652K in expected annual loss and about 1.21 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 11K.
Beyond physical exposure, Clay County has a very 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: Clay County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 5 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, Clay County ranks #94 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.78 / yr | $41K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $66K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.21 / yr | $652K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.04 / yr | $54K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $142K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $35K |
| Lightning | Low | 59.49 / yr | $119K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.11 / yr | $594K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.25 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Low | 32.85 / yr | $38K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.88 / yr | $152K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.81 / yr | $49K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 6.68 / yr | $3K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Clay County has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Tropical Storm (2), Biological (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 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Clay County?
Clay County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 26.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 27th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Clay County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $41K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $66K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $652K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Clay County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Clay County ranks #94 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Clay County had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Clay County since 1973, most often 5 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. Clay County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.