Richmond County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 61th
Richmond County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 60.8, 61th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $16M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Richmond County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 60.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 61st 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.
Most of Richmond County's expected losses come from hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.19 events per year; tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 0.23 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $297K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $16M in expected annual loss for a population of 43K.
Beyond physical exposure, Richmond County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Richmond County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 12 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, Richmond County ranks #66 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.19 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.23 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $297K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.30 / yr | $244K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.81 / yr | $773K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $673K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.21 / yr | $527K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 4.16 / yr | $69K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.75 / yr | $6M |
| Lightning | Medium | 53.95 / yr | $219K |
| Hail | Low | 3.74 / yr | $206K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.47 / yr | $510K |
| Drought | Low | 18.87 / yr | $55K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $154 |
| 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
Richmond County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (12), 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 |
| September 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Richmond County?
Richmond County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 60.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 61th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Richmond County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $3M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $3M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $297K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Richmond County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Richmond County ranks #66 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Richmond County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Richmond County since 1977, most often 12 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. Richmond County's $16M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.