Halifax County

North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

72.9

National percentile: 73th

Halifax County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 72.9, 73th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $20M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Low Capacity to recover
Population 49K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Winter Weather
High $405K/yr
Drought
Medium $1M/yr
Hurricane
Medium $4M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Winter Weather High 6.21 / yr $405K
Drought Medium 11.79 / yr $1M
Hurricane Medium 0.20 / yr $4M
Tornado Medium 0.41 / yr $2M
Heat Wave Low 7.21 / yr $721K
Riverine Flood Medium 1.21 / yr $9M
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $485K
Hail Low 3.00 / yr $284K
Ice Storm Low 1.05 / yr $82K
Lightning Low 46.34 / yr $177K
Cold Wave Low 0.58 / yr $640K
Strong Wind Low 0.72 / yr $299K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $20K
Landslide Very Low 0.14 / yr $407
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall natural disaster risk for Halifax County?

Halifax County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 72.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 73th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Halifax County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (High, $405K EAL), Drought (Medium, $1M EAL), Hurricane (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Halifax County compare to other North Carolina counties?

Halifax County ranks #47 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a 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. Halifax County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.