Scotland County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 64th
Scotland County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 63.6, 64th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Scotland County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 63.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 64th 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 Scotland 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 0.21 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $301K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $14M in expected annual loss for a population of 34K.
Beyond physical exposure, Scotland County has a very 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 federal record bears this out: Scotland County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1984, 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, Scotland County ranks #64 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.21 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $301K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.16 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.62 / yr | $619K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.21 / yr | $587K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.93 / yr | $142K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 4.21 / yr | $70K |
| Hail | Low | 3.50 / yr | $246K |
| Lightning | Medium | 55.08 / yr | $184K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.68 / yr | $5M |
| Drought | Low | 16.59 / yr | $74K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.47 / yr | $477K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $22 |
| 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
Scotland County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1984, 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 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Scotland County?
Scotland County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 63.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 64th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Scotland County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $3M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $301K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Scotland County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Scotland County ranks #64 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Scotland County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Scotland County since 1984, 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. Scotland County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.