Sampson County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
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
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Sampson County is medium, with a National Risk Index score of 90.2 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $3M in expected annual loss and about 1.92 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at High risk — $35M in expected annual loss and about 0.27 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at High risk — $430K in expected annual loss and about 4.26 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $55M in expected annual loss for a population of 59K.
Beyond physical exposure, Sampson County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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 federal record bears this out: Sampson County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1984, including 17 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, Sampson County ranks #12 for overall natural disaster risk.
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 |
Disaster History
Sampson County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1984, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (17), Tropical Storm (2), Severe Storm (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 |
| March 2021 | Severe Storm | Tropical Storm Eta |
| 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 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has Sampson County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Sampson County since 1984, most often 17 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. Sampson County's $55M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.