New Hanover County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 96th
New Hanover County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 96.1, 96th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $257M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates New Hanover County at high composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 96.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 96th national percentile and in the upper tier of natural-disaster risk nationally. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of New Hanover County's expected losses come from hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very High risk — $181M in expected annual loss and about 0.37 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Very High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 56.52 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $999K in expected annual loss and about 1.49 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $257M in expected annual loss for a population of 225K.
Beyond physical exposure, New Hanover County has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: New Hanover County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1984, including 23 for hurricane events and 3 for tropical storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 100 North Carolina counties, New Hanover County ranks #2 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Very High | 0.37 / yr | $181M |
| Lightning | Very High | 56.52 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | High | 1.49 / yr | $999K |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.69 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | High | 0.16 / yr | $9M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.46 / yr | $46M |
| Coastal Flood | High | 3.69 / yr | $7M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 7.67 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $675K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.47 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.45 / yr | $753K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.18 / yr | $91K |
| Drought | Very Low | 5.65 / yr | $4K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $126 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
New Hanover County has received 32 federal disaster declarations since 1984, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (23), Tropical Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| October 2024 | Tropical Storm | Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 32 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for New Hanover County?
New Hanover County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 96.1 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 96th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in New Hanover County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Very High, $181M EAL), Lightning (Very High, $3M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $999K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does New Hanover County compare to other North Carolina counties?
New Hanover County ranks #2 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high rating.
How many federally declared disasters has New Hanover County had?
FEMA records 32 federal disaster declarations for New Hanover County since 1984, most often 23 for hurricane events and 3 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. New Hanover County's $257M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.