Jones County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 65th
Jones County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 64.5, 65th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Jones County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 64.5 out of 100 — placing it in the 65th 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 — $11M in expected annual loss and about 0.36 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $85K in expected annual loss and about 2.84 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $26K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 9K.
Beyond physical exposure, Jones 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.
History supports the rating: Jones County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1996, including 21 for hurricane events and 2 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 100 North Carolina counties, Jones County ranks #62 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.36 / yr | $11M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 2.84 / yr | $85K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $26K |
| Drought | Low | 7.42 / yr | $75K |
| Hail | Low | 2.95 / yr | $130K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.76 / yr | $145K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.24 / yr | $245K |
| Lightning | Low | 54.23 / yr | $81K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.70 / yr | $4K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $55K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.78 / yr | $17K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $167K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.34 / yr | $163K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $16 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Jones County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1996, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (21), Tropical Storm (2), Biological (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 |
| October 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaias |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaias |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
| September 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
Showing the 10 most recent of 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Jones County?
Jones County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 64.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 65th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Jones County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $11M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $85K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $26K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Jones County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Jones County ranks #62 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Jones County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Jones County since 1996, most often 21 for hurricane events and 2 for tropical 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. Jones County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.