Wilkes County
North Carolina — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
MediumComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 83th
Wilkes County faces medium composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 82.6, 83th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $33M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.14 / yr | $868K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.64 / yr | $25M |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.65 / yr | $831K |
| Landslide | Low | 2.01 / yr | $7K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $710K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $716K |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 0.74 / yr | $2M |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.24 / yr | $2M |
| Lightning | Medium | 50.48 / yr | $328K |
| Drought | Low | 23.88 / yr | $246K |
| Hail | Low | 4.72 / yr | $207K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $37K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.69 / yr | $38K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $81K |
| 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 Wilkes County?
Wilkes County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 82.6 out of 100, placing it in the Medium category and the 83th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Wilkes County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $868K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $25M EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $831K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Wilkes County compare to other North Carolina counties?
Wilkes County ranks #31 of 100 North Carolina counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a medium 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. Wilkes County's $33M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.