Sampson County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 90th
Sampson County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 90.2, 90th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $55M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 1.92 / yr | $3M |
| Hurricane | High | 0.27 / yr | $35M |
| Winter Weather | High | 4.26 / yr | $430K |
| Drought | Medium | 9.64 / yr | $945K |
| Hail | Medium | 4.17 / yr | $782K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.68 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.04 / yr | $248K |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 8.84 / yr | $930K |
| Lightning | Medium | 52.36 / yr | $394K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $638K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.25 / yr | $8M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $108K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.47 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $195 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.01 / 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 Sampson County?
Sampson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 90.2 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 Sampson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $3M EAL), Hurricane (High, $35M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $430K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Sampson County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Sampson County ranks #12 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Sampson County's $55M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.