Macon County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 74th
Macon County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 73.8, 74th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $24M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Macon County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 73.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 74th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 1.92 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 3.44 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $453K in expected annual loss and about 58.66 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $24M in expected annual loss for a population of 37K.
Beyond physical exposure, Macon County has a 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: Macon County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1973, including 7 for hurricane events and 3 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 100 North Carolina counties, Macon County ranks #45 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | High | 1.92 / yr | $3M |
| Cold Wave | High | 3.44 / yr | $7M |
| Lightning | Medium | 58.66 / yr | $453K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.83 / yr | $199K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.21 / yr | $10M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $577K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $308K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.22 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $57K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.82 / yr | $426K |
| Hail | Low | 3.98 / yr | $175K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 12.15 / yr | $27K |
| Drought | Low | 31.59 / yr | $25K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / 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 |
Disaster History
Macon County has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1973, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), Flood (3), Tropical Storm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| October 2022 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ian |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaias |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| September 2013 | Flood | Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Macon County?
Macon County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 73.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 74th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Macon County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (High, $3M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $7M EAL), Lightning (Medium, $453K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Macon County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Macon County ranks #45 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Macon County had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Macon County since 1973, most often 7 for hurricane events and 3 for flood 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. Macon County's $24M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.