Rowan County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 83th
Rowan County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 82.9, 83th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $48M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Rowan County at medium composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 82.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 83rd 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 2.11 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at High risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 0.53 events per year; and tornado (violently rotating columns of air capable of catastrophic local damage) at Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.23 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $48M in expected annual loss for a population of 147K.
Beyond physical exposure, Rowan County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Rowan County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 9 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, Rowan County ranks #30 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 2.11 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | High | 0.53 / yr | $11M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.23 / yr | $5M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.07 / yr | $25M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.28 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.09 / yr | $711K |
| Lightning | Medium | 50.27 / yr | $523K |
| Drought | Medium | 26.43 / yr | $555K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 6.89 / yr | $124K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.42 / yr | $376K |
| Hail | Low | 4.76 / yr | $231K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $40K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $466 |
| 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
Rowan County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (9), Tropical Storm (3), Snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Hurricane Helene |
| August 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Debby |
| October 2022 | Hurricane | Hurricane Ian |
| March 2021 | Severe Storm | Tropical Storm Eta |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaias |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Rowan County?
Rowan County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 82.9 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 83th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Rowan County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $2M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $11M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $5M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Rowan County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Rowan County ranks #30 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Rowan County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Rowan County since 1977, most often 9 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. Rowan County's $48M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.