Watauga County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 72th
Watauga County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 71.9, 72th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and ice storm exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $26M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | High | 0.96 / yr | $1M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 0.80 / yr | $416K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 4.89 / yr | $4M |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 3.07 / yr | $17M |
| Drought | Medium | 24.21 / yr | $630K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $634K |
| Lightning | Medium | 48.73 / yr | $324K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.03 / yr | $214K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.09 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 20.79 / yr | $67K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.73 / yr | $410K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $24K |
| Hail | Low | 4.19 / yr | $135K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Heat Wave | 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 Watauga County?
Watauga County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 71.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 72th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Watauga County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (High, $1M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $416K EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $4M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Watauga County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Watauga County ranks #51 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. Watauga County's $26M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.