Scotland County

North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Low

Composite Risk Score

63.6

National percentile: 64th

Scotland County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 63.6, 64th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025

Expected Annual Loss $14M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Very High Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Low Capacity to recover
Population 34K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Hurricane
Medium $3M/yr
Wildfire
Low $301K/yr
Earthquake
Low $1M/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Hurricane Medium 0.21 / yr $3M
Wildfire Low 0.00 / yr $301K
Earthquake Low 0.00 / yr $1M
Tornado Medium 0.16 / yr $2M
Strong Wind Medium 2.62 / yr $619K
Heat Wave Low 8.21 / yr $587K
Ice Storm Medium 0.93 / yr $142K
Winter Weather Medium 4.21 / yr $70K
Hail Low 3.50 / yr $246K
Lightning Medium 55.08 / yr $184K
Riverine Flood Low 0.68 / yr $5M
Drought Low 16.59 / yr $74K
Cold Wave Low 0.47 / yr $477K
Landslide Very Low 0.06 / yr $22
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 Scotland County?

Scotland County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 63.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 64th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Scotland County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $3M EAL), Wildfire (Low, $301K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Scotland County compare to other North Carolina counties?

Scotland County ranks #64 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. Scotland County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.