Polk County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 37th
Polk County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 36.9, 37th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $8M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | High | 0.65 / yr | $512K |
| Ice Storm | High | 1.86 / yr | $497K |
| Lightning | Medium | 56.01 / yr | $308K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $157K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.13 / yr | $435K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.12 / yr | $968K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $207K |
| Drought | Low | 38.19 / yr | $82K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.82 / yr | $4M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.78 / yr | $552K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $22K |
| Hail | Low | 5.19 / yr | $107K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.48 / yr | $30K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 6.09 / yr | $6K |
| 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 Polk County?
Polk County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 36.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 37th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Polk County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (High, $512K EAL), Ice Storm (High, $497K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $308K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Polk County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Polk County ranks #90 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. Polk County's $8M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.