Stokes County

North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment

Very Low

Composite Risk Score

39.7

National percentile: 40th

Stokes County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 39.7, 40th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.

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

Expected Annual Loss $11M Annualized county-level EAL
Social Vulnerability Medium Population sensitivity
Community Resilience Low Capacity to recover
Population 45K Latest estimate

Top Hazards

Ice Storm
Medium $296K/yr
Drought
Medium $613K/yr
Hurricane
Low $466K/yr

All 18 Hazard Risks

Ice Storm Medium 2.12 / yr $296K
Drought Medium 16.52 / yr $613K
Hurricane Low 0.08 / yr $466K
Landslide Low 0.98 / yr $4K
Riverine Flood Low 0.71 / yr $7M
Earthquake Very Low 0.00 / yr $286K
Winter Weather Low 6.79 / yr $45K
Cold Wave Low 0.63 / yr $487K
Tornado Low 0.13 / yr $627K
Strong Wind Low 2.74 / yr $311K
Hail Low 4.81 / yr $123K
Lightning Low 48.68 / yr $110K
Heat Wave Very Low 0.89 / yr $88K
Wildfire Very Low 0.00 / yr $5K
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 Stokes County?

Stokes County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 39.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 40th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.

What are the top natural hazards in Stokes County?

The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (Medium, $296K EAL), Drought (Medium, $613K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $466K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.

How does Stokes County compare to other North Carolina counties?

Stokes County ranks #87 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. Stokes County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.