Pitt County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 90th
Pitt County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 89.8, 90th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $81M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Pitt County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 89.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 90th national percentile and near the national midpoint for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Pitt County's expected losses come from winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Very High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.26 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at High risk — $30M in expected annual loss and about 0.29 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at High risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 0.46 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $81M in expected annual loss for a population of 170K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pitt 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Pitt County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1968, including 20 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, Pitt County ranks #13 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 3.26 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | High | 0.29 / yr | $30M |
| Tornado | High | 0.46 / yr | $11M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 7.79 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.14 / yr | $31M |
| Lightning | Medium | 50.98 / yr | $747K |
| Hail | Medium | 3.23 / yr | $754K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.72 / yr | $325K |
| Drought | Medium | 6.52 / yr | $709K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $866K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 0.93 / yr | $1000K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.42 / yr | $2M |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 3.18 / yr | $67K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $29K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $475 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Pitt County has received 30 federal disaster declarations since 1968, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (20), 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 |
| 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 |
| September 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
Showing the 10 most recent of 30 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Pitt County?
Pitt County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 89.8 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 90th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pitt County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $1M EAL), Hurricane (High, $30M EAL), Tornado (High, $11M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pitt County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Pitt County ranks #13 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pitt County had?
FEMA records 30 federal disaster declarations for Pitt County since 1968, most often 20 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. Pitt County's $81M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.