Guilford County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 93th
Guilford County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 93.4, 93th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $135M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.87 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | High | 3.14 / yr | $101M |
| Winter Weather | High | 8.00 / yr | $795K |
| Lightning | High | 47.07 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.75 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.09 / yr | $8M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.23 / yr | $6M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.68 / yr | $6M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $4M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 1.79 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.25 / yr | $922K |
| Drought | Medium | 17.91 / yr | $441K |
| Landslide | Low | 0.38 / yr | $3K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $32K |
| 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 Guilford County?
Guilford County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 93.4 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 93th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Guilford County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $2M EAL), Riverine Flood (High, $101M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $795K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Guilford County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Guilford County ranks #8 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Guilford County's $135M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.