Yadkin County, North Carolina Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · NC
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 38th
Yadkin County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 38.4, 38th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $10M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Yadkin County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 38.4 out of 100 — placing it in the 38th 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $298K in expected annual loss and about 1.63 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $403K in expected annual loss and about 21.37 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $408K in expected annual loss and about 0.06 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $10M in expected annual loss for a population of 37K.
Beyond physical exposure, Yadkin County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Yadkin County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 8 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, Yadkin County ranks #88 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.63 / yr | $298K |
| Drought | Medium | 21.37 / yr | $403K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $408K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $286K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.82 / yr | $6M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.56 / yr | $464K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.63 / yr | $709K |
| Hail | Low | 5.00 / yr | $194K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.11 / yr | $912K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.41 / yr | $869 |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.58 / yr | $31K |
| Lightning | Low | 49.78 / yr | $95K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.47 / yr | $47K |
| 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
Yadkin County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (8), Snowstorm (4), Tropical Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| 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 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Yadkin County?
Yadkin County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 38.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 38th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Yadkin County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $298K EAL), Drought (Medium, $403K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $408K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Yadkin County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Yadkin County ranks #88 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Yadkin County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Yadkin County since 1977, most often 8 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. Yadkin County's $10M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.