Hertford County

North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

68.2

National percentile: 68th

Hertford County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 68.2, 68th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $17M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Low Capacity to recover
Population 22K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Hurricane
High $10M/yr
Drought
Medium $692K/yr
Winter Weather
Medium $150K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Hurricane High 0.26 / yr $10M
Drought Medium 3.41 / yr $692K
Winter Weather Medium 3.58 / yr $150K
Heat Wave Low 6.58 / yr $412K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $214K
Riverine Flood Low 0.57 / yr $4M
Tornado Low 0.21 / yr $723K
Hail Low 2.33 / yr $150K
Strong Wind Low 0.80 / yr $318K
Lightning Low 46.77 / yr $103K
Ice Storm Low 0.68 / yr $33K
Coastal Flood Very Low 3.63 / yr $10K
Cold Wave Low 0.53 / yr $299K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $10K
Landslide Very Low 0.07 / yr $90
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 Hertford County?

Hertford County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 68.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 68th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Hertford County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $10M EAL), Drought (Medium, $692K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $150K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Hertford County compare to other North Carolina counties?

Hertford County ranks #54 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. Hertford County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.