Wayne County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 90th
Wayne County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 90.4, 90th national percentile), driven primarily by winter weather and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $66M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Winter Weather | Very High | 5.00 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | High | 0.26 / yr | $24M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.39 / yr | $5M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.32 / yr | $28M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.14 / yr | $1M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 8.58 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | High | 51.01 / yr | $659K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.87 / yr | $349K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.30 / yr | $872K |
| Drought | Medium | 7.92 / yr | $514K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $796K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.47 / yr | $1M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $49K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.09 / yr | $264 |
| 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 Wayne County?
Wayne County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 90.4 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 90th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wayne County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Winter Weather (Very High, $1M EAL), Hurricane (High, $24M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $5M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wayne County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Wayne County ranks #11 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Wayne County's $66M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.