Henderson County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 84th
Henderson County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 83.8, 84th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $41M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | Very High | 1.67 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | High | 2.42 / yr | $10M |
| Landslide | Medium | 0.87 / yr | $112K |
| Strong Wind | High | 2.25 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | High | 58.22 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Medium | 4.63 / yr | $1M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.64 / yr | $19M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.16 / yr | $3M |
| Drought | Medium | 32.92 / yr | $752K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $486K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $28K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.02 / yr | $37K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $51 |
| 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 Henderson County?
Henderson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 83.8 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 84th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Henderson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Very High, $1M EAL), Cold Wave (High, $10M EAL), Landslide (Medium, $112K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Henderson County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Henderson County ranks #29 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. Henderson County's $41M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.