Perquimans County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 38th
Perquimans County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 37.7, 38th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Perquimans County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 37.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 38th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. 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 0.30 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $80K in expected annual loss and about 2.79 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $601K in expected annual loss and about 0.73 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 13K.
Beyond physical exposure, Perquimans County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Perquimans County has received 24 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, Perquimans County ranks #89 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.30 / yr | $6M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 2.79 / yr | $80K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 0.73 / yr | $601K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.05 / yr | $348K |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 3.18 / yr | $135K |
| Drought | Low | 1.06 / yr | $80K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.16 / yr | $543K |
| Lightning | Low | 45.93 / yr | $106K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $28K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.61 / yr | $13K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.53 / yr | $173K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.71 / yr | $52K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $14 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Perquimans County has received 24 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 |
| May 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Perquimans County?
Perquimans County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 37.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 38th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Perquimans County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $6M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $80K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $601K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Perquimans County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Perquimans County ranks #89 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Perquimans County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Perquimans 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. Perquimans County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.