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Natural hazard risk in Guilford County, North Carolina

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on FEMA, NOAA and OpenFEMA data. Published by Humblebee.

FEMA overall Risk Index rating: Relatively Moderate (score 93.4 of 100)[5]

Expected annual loss (FEMA)
$134.6 million[1]
Federal disaster declarations since 1977
26[2]
NFIP flood claims paid, 1978 to 2026
$9.4 million[3]
Tornadoes recorded, 1950 to 2024
16[4]

FEMA's National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) gives Guilford County an overall Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate compared with other US counties[5]. The hazards with the highest FEMA scores in this county are ice storm, inland flooding and winter weather[6].

FEMA risk ratings for each hazard

Ratings and expected losses from the FEMA National Risk Index. Each rating compares this county with all US counties for that hazard, from Very Low to Very High. They are planning estimates, not predictions, and they do not describe any single property.

FEMA rates the overall Risk Index for Guilford County Relatively Moderate, with a score of 93.4 out of 100[5]. FEMA estimates Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards at $134.6 million a year[1]. This is a FEMA estimate of average yearly loss, not money anyone paid. The largest hazard-type losses are inland flooding ($100.5 million a year), hurricane ($7.9 million a year) and tornado ($6.4 million a year)[7]. FEMA rates Social Vulnerability Relatively Moderate[8] and Community Resilience Relatively Moderate[9]. FEMA says its index is not meant to predict next year's damage[10].

Hazards sorted by FEMA hazard-type Risk Index score, highest first
HazardFEMA risk ratingExpected annual loss
Ice StormVery High$2.1 million[11]
Inland FloodingRelatively High$100.5 million[12]
Winter WeatherRelatively High$795,000[13]
LightningRelatively High$1.7 million[14]
HailRelatively Moderate$2.0 million[15]
HurricaneRelatively Moderate$7.9 million[16]
TornadoRelatively Moderate$6.4 million[17]
Cold WaveRelatively Moderate$6.0 million[18]
EarthquakeRelatively Low$3.6 million[19]
Heat WaveRelatively Moderate$2.3 million[20]
Strong WindRelatively Moderate$922,000[21]
DroughtRelatively Moderate$441,000[22]
LandslideRelatively Low$3,193[23]
WildfireVery Low$32,000[24]

Rated Not Applicable by FEMA for this county: avalanche, coastal flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity[25].

Social vulnerability and community resilience

FEMA uses these two ratings to scale expected losses into the Risk Index.

FEMA measureRatingScore
Social vulnerabilityRelatively Moderate42.7[8]
Community resilienceRelatively Moderate56.4[9]

Flooding and flood insurance

FEMA rates inland flooding risk Relatively High compared with other US counties[12]. OpenFEMA lists 707 residential flood insurance contracts in force in Guilford County as of 2026-08-03, a penetration rate of 0.4%[26]. In FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area, 40.3% of homes are insured[26]. OpenFEMA's NFIP claims data shows 680 claims filed for losses from 1978 to 2026, and NFIP paid $9.4 million in total[3]. To learn the flood zone of an address, use FEMA's Flood Map Service Center[27].

Measure Value
Inland Flooding, FEMA risk rating[12] Relatively High, $100.5 million expected loss a year
NFIP residential flood policies in force (2026)[26] 707 of 170,796 homes
Homes in FEMA's mapped high-risk flood area (SFHA)[26] 843, of which 340 insured
NFIP flood claims, 1978 to 2026[3] 680 filed, $9.4 million paid

Is a specific address in a flood zone? Only FEMA's flood maps answer that, property by property[27]. This page describes the whole county.

Search an address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center

Disaster declarations and tornado records

OpenFEMA lists 26 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Guilford County since 1977[2]. Hurricanes account for 12 of them[2]. The most recent in the facts is a Severe Winter Storm declared 2026-01-24[28]. NOAA's tornado database records 16 tornadoes touching the county from 1950 to 2024[4]. The most recent was on 2021-03-18[4].

Federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Guilford County, since 1977
Incident type Declarations
Hurricane[2] 12
Snowstorm[2] 4
Severe Ice Storm[2] 3
Severe Storm[2] 2
Tropical Storm[2] 2
Winter Storm[2] 1
Tornado[2] 1
Drought[2] 1
Most recent declarations
Declaration Incident Declared
EM-3637-NC[28] Severe Winter Storm 2026-01-24
EM-3617-NC[28] Hurricane Helene 2024-09-26
EM-3608-NC[28] Tropical Storm Debby 2024-08-06
EM-3586-NC[28] Hurricane Ian 2022-10-01
EM-3534-NC[28] Hurricane Isaias 2020-08-02

How to prepare

Steps from Ready.gov, FEMA's preparedness site, for the hazards with the highest FEMA ratings here. Follow instructions from local officials and the National Weather Service when a warning is issued.

Winter storms and cold

Before

  • Insulate your home and learn how to keep pipes from freezing.
  • Install and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup.
  • Keep several days of supplies in case the power goes out, including medication and pet needs.
  • Put an emergency kit in your car with jumper cables, sand, blankets, water and snacks, and keep the tank full.

During

  • Under a winter storm warning, find shelter right away.
  • Stay off the roads if you can. If you are stuck in your car, stay inside it.
  • Run generators and grills only outdoors, away from windows, and never heat your home with an oven or stove.

Source: Ready.gov, winter storms and cold

Floods

Before

  • Check your flood risk with FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, and remember that floods do not follow map lines.
  • Sign up for your community's warning system. NOAA Weather Radio also broadcasts alerts.
  • Buy flood insurance through the NFIP well before a disaster. Homeowners policies do not cover flooding, and a new policy typically takes up to 30 days to go into effect.
  • Make a household plan with evacuation routes, shelter locations and what to do in a flash flood.
  • Keep important documents in a waterproof container and make password-protected digital copies.

During

  • If you are told to evacuate, leave right away and never drive around barricades.
  • Do not walk, swim or drive through floodwater. Six inches of moving water can knock you down.
  • If you are trapped in a building, go to the highest level, but do not climb into a closed attic.

Source: Ready.gov, floods

Hurricanes

Before

  • Know your hurricane risk, including rain, wind and tornadoes far inland from landfall.
  • Learn your evacuation zone and routes, and practice them with your household and pets.
  • Keep insurance policies and ID current, with password-protected digital copies.
  • Clear drains and gutters, bring in outdoor furniture and consider hurricane shutters.
  • Keep your phone charged, buy backup chargers and gather supplies, including medication and pet supplies.

During

  • If you are in a mandatory evacuation zone and officials order an evacuation, leave right away.
  • For high winds, take shelter in a designated storm shelter or an interior room.
  • If you are trapped by flooding, go to the highest level, but do not climb into a closed attic.

Source: Ready.gov, hurricanes

Questions people ask

Is Guilford County at risk of flooding?
FEMA rates inland flooding risk Relatively High compared with other US counties[12]. FEMA lists inland flooding as the largest source of expected annual loss at $100.5 million a year[7]. For one address, check FEMA's Flood Map Service Center[27].
Does Guilford County get tornadoes?
NOAA's tornado database records 16 tornadoes touching the county from 1950 to 2024[4]. FEMA rates tornado risk Relatively Moderate compared with other US counties[17].
Is Guilford County at risk of earthquakes or wildfire?
FEMA rates earthquake risk Relatively Low[19] and wildfire risk Very Low compared with other US counties[24]. FEMA says a hazard can still cause damage where a rating is low[10].
How many disasters have been declared in Guilford County?
OpenFEMA lists 26 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include the county since 1977[2].
How can I check a flood zone?
Look up the address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center or ask the local floodplain manager[27].

Facts and sources

  1. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Guilford County is $134.6 million a year (Expected Annual Loss rating Relatively Moderate, score 93.3). Of this, buildings account for $117.9 million, injuries and deaths (converted to dollars by FEMA) for... FEMA National Risk Index
  2. OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries list 26 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Guilford County since 1977 (13 major disaster, 13 emergency or fire management). By incident type: hurricane 12, snowstorm 4, severe ice storm 3, severe storm 2, tropical storm 2, winter storm 1, tornado... OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations
  3. HazardFacts tally of OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims (losses from 1978 to 2026): 680 National Flood Insurance Program claims were filed for losses in Guilford County, 513 of them with a payment, and NFIP paid $9.4 million in total (building, contents and increased cost of compliance, in dollars of the year paid).... OpenFEMA NFIP claims
  4. NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950 to 2024): 16 recorded tornadoes touched Guilford County. The strongest were rated EF3 (most recent of them on 2010-03-28). 1 were rated F3/EF3 or stronger. The most recent recorded tornado was on 2021-03-18. Ratings used the Fujita scale until early 2007 and the... NOAA Storm Prediction Center
  5. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): the overall natural hazard Risk Index rating for Guilford County is Relatively Moderate, with a Risk Index score of 93.4 out of 100. The score is the county's percentile rank among all US counties. FEMA National Risk Index
  6. Among the 18 hazards in the FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), the hazards with the highest hazard-type Risk Index scores for Guilford County are ice storm (96.6, Very High), inland flooding (96.6, Relatively High), winter weather (96.0, Relatively High). HazardFacts sorted FEMA's published... FEMA National Risk Index
  7. HazardFacts sorted FEMA's hazard-type Expected Annual Loss values for Guilford County (National Risk Index v1.20): the largest are inland flooding ($100.5 million a year), hurricane ($7.9 million a year), tornado ($6.4 million a year), out of $134.6 million a year from all 18 hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  8. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Social Vulnerability rating for Guilford County is Relatively Moderate (score 42.7). FEMA describes social vulnerability as how susceptible social groups are to the harm natural hazards cause. FEMA National Risk Index
  9. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Community Resilience rating for Guilford County is Relatively Moderate (score 56.4). FEMA describes community resilience as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  10. FEMA's National Risk Index FAQ (December 2025): Expected Annual Loss is FEMA's estimate of the average economic loss in dollars from natural hazards each year. The index is not meant to predict how much damage a community will have in the next year, and a hazard can still cause damage where a rating is low. Scores... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  11. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), ice storm in Guilford County: Risk Index rating Very High (score 96.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $2.1 million a year (rating Very High). Annualized frequency 1.87 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 68 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  12. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), inland flooding in Guilford County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 96.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $100.5 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 3.14 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of... FEMA National Risk Index
  13. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), winter weather in Guilford County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 96.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $795,000 a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 8 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  14. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), lightning in Guilford County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 94.2 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.7 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 47.07 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 24 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  15. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hail in Guilford County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 92.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $2.0 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 4.75 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 37 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  16. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hurricane in Guilford County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 90.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $7.9 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 0.09 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 172... FEMA National Risk Index
  17. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), tornado in Guilford County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 88.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $6.4 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 0.23 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  18. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), cold wave in Guilford County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 88.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $6.0 million a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 0.68 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18... FEMA National Risk Index
  19. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), earthquake in Guilford County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 87.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $3.6 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0014 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  20. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), heat wave in Guilford County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 86.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $2.3 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 1.79 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of... FEMA National Risk Index
  21. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), strong wind in Guilford County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 68.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $922,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 2.25 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  22. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), drought in Guilford County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 67.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $441,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 17.91 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 22... FEMA National Risk Index
  23. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), landslide in Guilford County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 62.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $3,193 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA National Risk Index
  24. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), wildfire in Guilford County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 43.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $32,000 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0001 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  25. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) rates these hazards Not Applicable for Guilford County: avalanche, coastal flooding, tsunami, volcanic activity. FEMA uses Not Applicable when its source data has no historical record of the hazard in the community and the hazard is not considered... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  26. NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (OpenFEMA, as of 2026-08-03): 707 residential flood insurance contracts were in force in Guilford County, out of 170,796 residential structures, a penetration rate of 0.4%. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area there were 843 residential structures and 340 contracts, a... OpenFEMA NFIP penetration rates
  27. FEMA's Flood Map Service Center is the official public source for flood maps (Flood Insurance Rate Maps) produced under the National Flood Insurance Program. Flood zones apply to specific properties: look up an address there or ask the local floodplain manager. County-level ratings do not tell you the flood zone of... FEMA Flood Map Service Center
  28. Most recent federal disaster declarations for natural hazards (table on this page). OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations

FEMA's National Risk Index compares each county with all other US counties. Ratings are relative (Very Low to Very High), not a measure of safety. Never call a place safe, unsafe, good or bad to live in. Risk Index and Expected Annual Loss values are FEMA estimates for planning. They do not predict next year's losses and do not apply to a single property. Flood zones are set by FEMA flood maps for specific properties. County ratings and flood insurance counts do not tell anyone whether an address is in a flood zone. Disaster declaration, NFIP and tornado counts are records of the past for this county only. Do not compare with other counties unless a fact does.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Risk Index Dataset: National Risk Index Counties, v1.20 (December 2025). Retrieved from fema.maps.arcgis.com on October 30, 2026. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Risk Index dataset API or downloadable datasets but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s). This product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA.