Montgomery County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 49th
Montgomery County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 49.0, 49th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.13 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.88 / yr | $253K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.22 / yr | $2M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.18 / yr | $6M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $262K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.58 / yr | $1K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 4.63 / yr | $234K |
| Drought | Low | 18.27 / yr | $77K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $26K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.93 / yr | $349K |
| Lightning | Low | 49.76 / yr | $112K |
| Hail | Low | 4.33 / yr | $121K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.84 / yr | $26K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.47 / yr | $333K |
| 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 Montgomery County?
Montgomery County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 49.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 49th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Montgomery County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $2M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $253K EAL), Tornado (Medium, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Montgomery County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Montgomery County ranks #78 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. Montgomery County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.