Surry County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 74th
Surry County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 73.6, 74th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and strong wind exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $27M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | High | 0.74 / yr | $7M |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.72 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.33 / yr | $445K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.04 / yr | $15M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.21 / yr | $8K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $574K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $645K |
| Drought | Medium | 13.27 / yr | $343K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.14 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.95 / yr | $73K |
| Hail | Low | 4.88 / yr | $303K |
| Lightning | Low | 50.10 / yr | $226K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $64K |
| 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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Surry County?
Surry County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 73.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 74th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Surry County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (High, $7M EAL), Strong Wind (High, $1M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $445K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Surry County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Surry County ranks #46 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low 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. Surry County's $27M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.