Washington County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 60th
Washington County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 59.6, 60th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $14M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | High | 0.33 / yr | $10M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 3.21 / yr | $101K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 8.27 / yr | $289K |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 0.80 / yr | $41K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $26K |
| Lightning | Low | 50.23 / yr | $112K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.23 / yr | $590K |
| Drought | Low | 0.83 / yr | $32K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $80K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.53 / yr | $16K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.76 / yr | $162K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.85 / yr | $40K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $112K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $9 |
| 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 Washington County?
Washington County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 59.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 60th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Washington County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (High, $10M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $101K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $289K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Washington County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Washington County ranks #67 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. Washington County's $14M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.