Moore County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 76th
Moore County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 75.6, 76th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $35M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Moore County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 75.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 76th 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 hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $6M in expected annual loss and about 0.17 events per year; ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $772K in expected annual loss and about 1.82 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 50.88 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $35M in expected annual loss for a population of 100K.
Beyond physical exposure, Moore County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Moore County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 11 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, Moore County ranks #42 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.17 / yr | $6M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.82 / yr | $772K |
| Lightning | High | 50.88 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.32 / yr | $5M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $479K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.32 / yr | $1M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.25 / yr | $17M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 4.13 / yr | $426K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 4.89 / yr | $99K |
| Drought | Low | 16.78 / yr | $135K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.47 / yr | $897K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.63 / yr | $410K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.36 / yr | $537 |
| 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 |
Disaster History
Moore County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (11), Tropical Storm (2), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2025 | Tropical Depression | Tropical Depression Chantal |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Moore County?
Moore County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 75.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 76th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Moore County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $6M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $772K EAL), Lightning (High, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Moore County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Moore County ranks #42 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Moore County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Moore County since 1968, most often 11 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. Moore County's $35M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.