Stanly County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 59th
Stanly County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 58.8, 59th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $22M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Stanly County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 58.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 59th 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 Stanly County's expected losses come from ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at High risk — $702K in expected annual loss and about 2.10 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 0.11 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $14M in expected annual loss and about 2.11 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $22M in expected annual loss for a population of 62K.
Beyond physical exposure, Stanly County has a low 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: Stanly County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 10 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, Stanly County ranks #70 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 2.10 / yr | $702K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.11 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.11 / yr | $14M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.19 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $601K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.42 / yr | $577K |
| Drought | Low | 20.67 / yr | $236K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.32 / yr | $663K |
| Lightning | Low | 50.54 / yr | $246K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.47 / yr | $871K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.89 / yr | $57K |
| Hail | Low | 4.43 / yr | $206K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $636 |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| 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
Stanly County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (10), Tropical Storm (3), Severe Storm (2).
| 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 |
| August 2020 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isaias |
| May 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| 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 Stanly County?
Stanly County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 58.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 59th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Stanly County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $702K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $2M EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $14M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Stanly County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Stanly County ranks #70 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Stanly County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Stanly County since 1977, most often 10 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. Stanly County's $22M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.