Jackson County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 80th
Jackson County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 80.5, 80th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $29M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.84 / yr | $162K |
| Cold Wave | High | 3.47 / yr | $9M |
| Lightning | High | 58.44 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.14 / yr | $15M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $729K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.54 / yr | $175K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $284K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.19 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.05 / yr | $476K |
| Drought | Low | 32.63 / yr | $138K |
| Hail | Low | 4.13 / yr | $205K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 13.51 / yr | $33K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Jackson County?
Jackson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 80.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 80th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jackson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $162K EAL), Cold Wave (High, $9M EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jackson County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Jackson County ranks #36 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. Jackson County's $29M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.