Mitchell County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 24th
Mitchell County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 24.0, 24th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.74 / yr | $96K |
| Lightning | High | 53.58 / yr | $741K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.72 / yr | $170K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.80 / yr | $985K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $78K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $146K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.82 / yr | $4M |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $15K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.06 / yr | $343K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.81 / yr | $206K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 25.45 / yr | $18K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.96 / yr | $37K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 25.31 / yr | $0 |
| Heat Wave | 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 Mitchell County?
Mitchell County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 24.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 24th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Mitchell County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $96K EAL), Lightning (High, $741K EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $170K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Mitchell County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Mitchell County ranks #95 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very 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. Mitchell County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.