Pasquotank County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 59th
Pasquotank County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 58.7, 59th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Pasquotank County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 58.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 59th 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 Medium risk — $8M in expected annual loss and about 0.30 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $254K in expected annual loss and about 2.79 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $349K in expected annual loss and about 44.64 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $18M in expected annual loss for a population of 40K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pasquotank County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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.
History supports the rating: Pasquotank County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 16 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, Pasquotank County ranks #71 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.30 / yr | $8M |
| Winter Weather | High | 2.79 / yr | $254K |
| Lightning | Medium | 44.64 / yr | $349K |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 3.18 / yr | $608K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.05 / yr | $528K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 0.72 / yr | $511K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.61 / yr | $5M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.14 / yr | $909K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $30K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $148K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.63 / yr | $48K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.53 / yr | $451K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.69 / yr | $114K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $22K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $7 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Pasquotank County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (16), 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 Pasquotank County?
Pasquotank County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 58.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 59th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pasquotank County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $8M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $254K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $349K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pasquotank County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Pasquotank County ranks #71 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pasquotank County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Pasquotank County since 1968, most often 16 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. Pasquotank County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.