Gaston County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 85th
Gaston County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 84.9, 85th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $59M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Gaston County carries a medium composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 84.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 85th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Gaston County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 2.12 events per year; strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 2.74 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 0.19 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $59M in expected annual loss for a population of 228K.
Beyond physical exposure, Gaston 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: Gaston County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1974, 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, Gaston County ranks #26 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 2.12 / yr | $3M |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.74 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | High | 0.19 / yr | $8M |
| Lightning | High | 52.17 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.93 / yr | $36M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $3M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.07 / yr | $653K |
| Hail | Low | 5.08 / yr | $562K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.05 / yr | $915K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.32 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 5.37 / yr | $93K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $2K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $46K |
| Drought | Low | 26.97 / yr | $63K |
| 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
Gaston County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1974, 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 |
| 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 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Gaston County?
Gaston County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 84.9 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 85th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Gaston County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $3M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Tornado (High, $8M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Gaston County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Gaston County ranks #26 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Gaston County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Gaston County since 1974, 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. Gaston County's $59M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.