Alleghany County

North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

34.7

National percentile: 35th

Alleghany County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 34.7, 35th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.

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

Expected Annual Loss $7M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Very Low Capacity to recover
Population 11K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Landslide
Medium $34K/yr
Drought
Medium $669K/yr
Ice Storm
Medium $253K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Landslide Medium 0.69 / yr $34K
Drought Medium 15.42 / yr $669K
Ice Storm Medium 0.78 / yr $253K
Cold Wave Medium 4.58 / yr $2M
Hurricane Low 0.03 / yr $112K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $22K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $115K
Riverine Flood Low 0.93 / yr $3M
Lightning Low 47.55 / yr $93K
Tornado Low 0.06 / yr $257K
Strong Wind Low 2.68 / yr $137K
Winter Weather Very Low 12.47 / yr $10K
Hail Very Low 4.33 / yr $37K
Avalanche Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Coastal Flood Very Low 0.00 / yr $0
Heat Wave 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 Alleghany County?

Alleghany County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 34.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 35th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Alleghany County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $34K EAL), Drought (Medium, $669K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $253K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Alleghany County compare to other North Carolina counties?

Alleghany County ranks #91 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Alleghany County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.