Burke County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 70th
Burke County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 70.2, 70th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $23M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.49 / yr | $809K |
| Lightning | High | 54.66 / yr | $805K |
| Landslide | Low | 1.32 / yr | $12K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.04 / yr | $15M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.20 / yr | $2M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $738K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $370K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 0.25 / yr | $587K |
| Drought | Low | 31.87 / yr | $253K |
| Hail | Low | 5.10 / yr | $315K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.07 / yr | $937K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.53 / yr | $422K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $31K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.16 / yr | $31K |
| 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 Burke County?
Burke County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 70.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 70th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Burke County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $809K EAL), Lightning (High, $805K EAL), Landslide (Low, $12K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Burke County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Burke County ranks #52 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a 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. Burke County's $23M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.