Martin County

North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

65.5

National percentile: 65th

Martin County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 65.5, 65th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $21M.

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

Expected Annual Loss $21M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Medium Capacity to recover
Population 22K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Hurricane
Medium $11M/yr
Winter Weather
Medium $179K/yr
Drought
Medium $786K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Hurricane Medium 0.27 / yr $11M
Winter Weather Medium 3.32 / yr $179K
Drought Medium 6.11 / yr $786K
Tornado Low 0.29 / yr $1M
Heat Wave Low 7.53 / yr $427K
Riverine Flood Low 0.57 / yr $6M
Hail Low 2.72 / yr $186K
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $130K
Ice Storm Low 0.61 / yr $40K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $17K
Lightning Low 49.05 / yr $111K
Strong Wind Low 0.82 / yr $283K
Coastal Flood Very Low 0.80 / yr $5K
Cold Wave Very Low 0.42 / yr $225K
Landslide Very Low 0.07 / yr $92
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 Martin County?

Martin County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 65.5 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 65th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Martin County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $11M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $179K EAL), Drought (Medium, $786K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Martin County compare to other North Carolina counties?

Martin County ranks #61 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. Martin County's $21M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.