Harnett County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 75th
Harnett County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 75.3, 75th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and tornado exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $37M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.21 / yr | $7M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.32 / yr | $6M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 8.26 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 5.05 / yr | $268K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.36 / yr | $432K |
| Lightning | Medium | 51.63 / yr | $725K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.00 / yr | $17M |
| Hail | Low | 4.15 / yr | $587K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $178K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $674K |
| Drought | Medium | 13.37 / yr | $417K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.44 / yr | $791K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.47 / yr | $1M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.17 / yr | $1K |
| 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 Harnett County?
Harnett County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 75.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 75th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Harnett County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $7M EAL), Tornado (Medium, $6M EAL), Heat Wave (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Harnett County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Harnett County ranks #43 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. Harnett County's $37M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.