Edgecombe County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 76th
Edgecombe County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 76.4, 76th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $24M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Edgecombe County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 76.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 76th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.81 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $554K in expected annual loss and about 5.58 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $4M in expected annual loss and about 0.23 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $24M in expected annual loss for a population of 49K.
Beyond physical exposure, Edgecombe County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Edgecombe County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 15 for hurricane events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 100 North Carolina counties, Edgecombe County ranks #40 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 0.81 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | High | 5.58 / yr | $554K |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.23 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | Medium | 9.32 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.33 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.25 / yr | $11M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.68 / yr | $761K |
| Hail | Low | 3.33 / yr | $291K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $271K |
| Lightning | Low | 47.53 / yr | $180K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.53 / yr | $604K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.67 / yr | $40K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $17K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $74 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Edgecombe County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (15), Severe Storm (3), Tropical Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| October 2022 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ian |
| March 2021 | Severe Storm | Tropical Storm Eta |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Edgecombe County?
Edgecombe County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 76.4 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 76th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Edgecombe County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $554K EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Edgecombe County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Edgecombe County ranks #40 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Edgecombe County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Edgecombe County since 1968, most often 15 for hurricane events and 3 for severe 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. Edgecombe County's $24M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.