Rutherford County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 73th
Rutherford County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 72.7, 73th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $24M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 2.35 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.80 / yr | $780K |
| Landslide | Low | 1.26 / yr | $26K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 0.89 / yr | $14M |
| Lightning | Medium | 54.96 / yr | $523K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.27 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $327K |
| Hail | Low | 5.22 / yr | $341K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $80K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.68 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Low | 34.13 / yr | $66K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $159K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.08 / yr | $20K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Rutherford County?
Rutherford County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 72.7 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 73th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Rutherford County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $780K EAL), Landslide (Low, $26K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Rutherford County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Rutherford County ranks #48 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
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. Rutherford County's $24M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.