Graham County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 20th
Graham County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 20.1, 20th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.37 / yr | $79K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.58 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $225K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $35K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $28K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.36 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Low | 57.71 / yr | $74K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.00 / yr | $197K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.11 / yr | $311K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 20.59 / yr | $13K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.26 / yr | $12K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.42 / yr | $27K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 29.72 / yr | $0 |
| Heat Wave | 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 Graham County?
Graham County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 20.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 20th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Graham County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $79K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $1M EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $225K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Graham County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Graham County ranks #97 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Graham County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.