Chowan County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 34th
Chowan County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 34.3, 34th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.29 / yr | $6M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 2.79 / yr | $90K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 7.05 / yr | $587K |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 3.37 / yr | $132K |
| Drought | Low | 1.06 / yr | $114K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.77 / yr | $283K |
| Lightning | Low | 46.47 / yr | $99K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $77K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.13 / yr | $353K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $10K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.63 / yr | $18K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.53 / yr | $168K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.99 / yr | $51K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $12 |
| Avalanche | 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 Chowan County?
Chowan County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 34.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 34th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Chowan County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $6M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $90K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $587K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Chowan County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Chowan County ranks #92 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. Chowan County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.