New Hanover County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
HighComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 96th
New Hanover County faces high composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 96.1, 96th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $257M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Very High | 0.37 / yr | $181M |
| Lightning | Very High | 56.52 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | High | 1.49 / yr | $999K |
| Ice Storm | High | 0.69 / yr | $1M |
| Tornado | High | 0.16 / yr | $9M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.46 / yr | $46M |
| Coastal Flood | High | 3.69 / yr | $7M |
| Heat Wave | Medium | 7.67 / yr | $3M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $675K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.47 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.45 / yr | $753K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.18 / yr | $91K |
| Drought | Very Low | 5.65 / yr | $4K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $126 |
| 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 New Hanover County?
New Hanover County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 96.1 out of 100, placing it in the High category and the 96th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in New Hanover County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Very High, $181M EAL), Lightning (Very High, $3M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $999K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does New Hanover County compare to other North Carolina counties?
New Hanover County ranks #2 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a high 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. New Hanover County's $257M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.