Hertford County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 68th
Hertford County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 68.2, 68th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Hertford County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 68.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 68th 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.
Risk here concentrates in hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at High risk — $10M in expected annual loss and about 0.26 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $692K in expected annual loss and about 3.41 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $150K in expected annual loss and about 3.58 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $17M in expected annual loss for a population of 22K.
Beyond physical exposure, Hertford County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Hertford County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 16 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, Hertford County ranks #54 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.26 / yr | $10M |
| Drought | Medium | 3.41 / yr | $692K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 3.58 / yr | $150K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.58 / yr | $412K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $214K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.57 / yr | $4M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.21 / yr | $723K |
| Hail | Low | 2.33 / yr | $150K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.80 / yr | $318K |
| Lightning | Low | 46.77 / yr | $103K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.68 / yr | $33K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 3.63 / yr | $10K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.53 / yr | $299K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $90 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Hertford County has received 28 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (16), 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 |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaias |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaias |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
Showing the 10 most recent of 28 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Hertford County?
Hertford County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 68.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 68th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Hertford County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $10M EAL), Drought (Medium, $692K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $150K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Hertford County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Hertford County ranks #54 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Hertford County had?
FEMA records 28 federal disaster declarations for Hertford County since 1968, most often 16 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. Hertford County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.