Carolina Municipio, Puerto Rico Natural Disaster Risk

FEMA National Risk Index assessment · PR

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

0.0

National percentile: 0th

Carolina Municipio faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 0.0, 0th national percentile), driven primarily by a mix of natural hazards exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $154M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Risk Overview

FEMA's National Risk Index rates Carolina Municipio at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 0.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 0th 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.

No individual hazard records measurable expected loss in Carolina Municipio in the current dataset, which keeps its overall expected annual loss low at $154M.

Beyond physical exposure, Carolina Municipio has a very low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.

The county's disaster history tells the same story: Carolina Municipio has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1970, including 15 for hurricane events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Tropical Storm Ernesto (severe storm), declared in August 2024.

Among 78 Puerto Rico counties, Carolina Municipio ranks #16 for overall natural disaster risk.

Expected Annual Loss $154M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very Low Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very Low Capacity to recover
Population 155K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Avalanche
Very Low $0/yr
Coastal Flood
Very Low $261K/yr
Cold Wave
Very Low $0/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Avalanche Very Low 0.00 / yr$0
Coastal Flood Very Low 0.21 / yr$261K
Cold Wave Very Low 0.00 / yr$0
Drought Very Low 1.56 / yr$0
Earthquake Very Low 0.04 / yr$43M
Hail Very Low 0.03 / yr$2K
Heat Wave Very Low 0.10 / yr$0
Hurricane Very Low 0.22 / yr$84M
Ice Storm Very Low 0.00 / yr$0
Riverine Flood Very Low 2.07 / yr$15M
Landslide Very Low 2.53 / yr$3M
Lightning Very Low 62.65 / yr$2M
Strong Wind Very Low 0.00 / yr$5K
Tornado Very Low 0.00 / yr$55K
Tsunami Very Low 0.06 / yr$7M
Volcanic Activity Very Low 0.01 / yr$4K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr$0
Winter Weather Very Low 0.00 / yr$0

Disaster History

Carolina Municipio has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1970, most recently Tropical Storm Ernesto in August 2024. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (15), Severe Storm (3), Flood (3).

DeclaredTypeDisaster
August 2024Severe StormTropical Storm Ernesto
September 2022HurricaneHurricane Fiona
September 2022HurricaneTropical Storm Fiona
August 2020HurricaneTropical Storm Laura
July 2020HurricanePotential Tropical Cyclone Nine
March 2020BiologicalCovid-19 Pandemic
March 2020BiologicalCovid-19
January 2020EarthquakeEarthquakes
August 2019Severe StormTropical Storm Dorian
September 2017HurricaneHurricane Maria

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 Carolina Municipio?

Carolina Municipio has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 0.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 0th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Carolina Municipio?

The three highest-rated hazards are Avalanche (Very Low, $0 EAL), Coastal Flood (Very Low, $261K EAL), Cold Wave (Very Low, $0 EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Carolina Municipio compare to other Puerto Rico counties?

Carolina Municipio ranks #16 of 78 Puerto Rico counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.

How many federally declared disasters has Carolina Municipio had?

FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for Carolina Municipio since 1970, most often 15 for hurricane events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Tropical Storm Ernesto, declared in August 2024.

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. Carolina Municipio's $154M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.