Pender County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 87th
Pender County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 86.9, 87th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $67M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.35 / yr | $43M |
| Winter Weather | High | 2.23 / yr | $359K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $897K |
| Lightning | High | 57.15 / yr | $1M |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 3.54 / yr | $3M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.87 / yr | $284K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.61 / yr | $3M |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.75 / yr | $13M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.13 / yr | $685K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $385K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 1.64 / yr | $625K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.47 / yr | $688K |
| Drought | Low | 8.02 / yr | $56K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.89 / yr | $120K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $244 |
| 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 Pender County?
Pender County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 86.9 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 87th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pender County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $43M EAL), Winter Weather (High, $359K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $897K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pender County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Pender County ranks #24 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Pender County's $67M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.