Tyrrell County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 46th
Tyrrell County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 46.0, 46th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and coastal flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Tyrrell County at low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 46.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 46th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Medium risk — $7M in expected annual loss and about 0.36 events per year; coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at Medium risk — $635K in expected annual loss and about 0.80 events per year; and wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Very Low risk — $45K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 3K.
Beyond physical exposure, Tyrrell County has a very high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Tyrrell County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1998, including 17 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, Tyrrell County ranks #81 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.36 / yr | $7M |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 0.80 / yr | $635K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $45K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 2.79 / yr | $31K |
| Drought | Very Low | 0.28 / yr | $12K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 8.37 / yr | $76K |
| Lightning | Low | 49.46 / yr | $59K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $168K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $17K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.66 / yr | $92K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.45 / yr | $35K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.41 / yr | $6K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $68K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.07 / yr | $731K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $2 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Tyrrell County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1998, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (17), 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 |
| October 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
| September 2019 | Hurricane | Hurricane Dorian |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
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 Tyrrell County?
Tyrrell County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 46.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 46th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Tyrrell County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $7M EAL), Coastal Flood (Medium, $635K EAL), Wildfire (Very Low, $45K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Tyrrell County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Tyrrell County ranks #81 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Tyrrell County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Tyrrell County since 1998, most often 17 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. Tyrrell County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.