Stokes County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 40th
Stokes County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 39.7, 40th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Stokes County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 39.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 40th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $296K in expected annual loss and about 2.12 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $613K in expected annual loss and about 16.52 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $466K in expected annual loss and about 0.08 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 45K.
Beyond physical exposure, Stokes County has a medium 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Stokes County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 11 for hurricane events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 100 North Carolina counties, Stokes County ranks #87 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 2.12 / yr | $296K |
| Drought | Medium | 16.52 / yr | $613K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.08 / yr | $466K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.98 / yr | $4K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.71 / yr | $7M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $286K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.79 / yr | $45K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.63 / yr | $487K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.13 / yr | $627K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.74 / yr | $311K |
| Hail | Low | 4.81 / yr | $123K |
| Lightning | Low | 48.68 / yr | $110K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.89 / yr | $88K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| 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
Stokes County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (11), Snowstorm (4), Tropical Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| October 2024 | Tropical Storm | Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight |
| 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 |
| May 2020 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
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 Stokes County?
Stokes County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 39.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 40th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Stokes County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $296K EAL), Drought (Medium, $613K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $466K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Stokes County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Stokes County ranks #87 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Stokes County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Stokes County since 1977, most often 11 for hurricane events and 4 for snowstorm 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. Stokes County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.