Transylvania County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 64th
Transylvania County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 64.2, 64th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.18 / yr | $66K |
| Cold Wave | High | 2.99 / yr | $6M |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.56 / yr | $452K |
| Lightning | Medium | 60.13 / yr | $344K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 2.43 / yr | $9M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $377K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $156K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.16 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.27 / yr | $439K |
| Hail | Low | 4.49 / yr | $197K |
| Drought | Low | 33.37 / yr | $87K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.12 / yr | $13K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $25 |
| 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 Transylvania County?
Transylvania County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 64.2 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 Transylvania County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $66K EAL), Cold Wave (High, $6M EAL), Ice Storm (High, $452K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Transylvania County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Transylvania County ranks #63 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. Transylvania County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.