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Natural hazard risk in Wilkes 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 82.6 of 100)[5]

Expected annual loss (FEMA)
$33.1 million[1]
Federal disaster declarations since 1977
20[2]
NFIP flood claims paid, 1978 to 2026
$1.4 million[3]
Tornadoes recorded, 1950 to 2024
12[4]

FEMA's National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) gives Wilkes County an overall Relatively Moderate Risk Index rating, with a score of 82.6 out of 100[5]. The hazards with the highest FEMA scores in this county are ice storm, inland flooding and strong wind[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 estimates Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Wilkes County at $33.1 million a year, and rates it Relatively Low compared with other US counties[1]. Expected Annual Loss is FEMA's estimate of average yearly loss, and the index is not meant to predict next year's damage[7]. FEMA's order of largest expected loss is inland flooding, tornado and cold wave[8]. FEMA rates ice storm risk Relatively High, with a score of 93.1[9]. FEMA rates Social Vulnerability Very High compared with other US counties, which means social groups are more susceptible to harm from natural hazards[10]. FEMA rates Community Resilience Relatively Low, which describes a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards[11].

Hazards sorted by FEMA hazard-type Risk Index score, highest first
HazardFEMA risk ratingExpected annual loss
Ice StormRelatively High$868,000[9]
Inland FloodingRelatively Moderate$25.5 million[12]
Strong WindRelatively Moderate$831,000[13]
LandslideRelatively Low$6,790[14]
HurricaneRelatively Low$710,000[15]
EarthquakeRelatively Low$716,000[16]
Cold WaveRelatively Moderate$1.7 million[17]
TornadoRelatively Moderate$1.9 million[18]
LightningRelatively Moderate$328,000[19]
DroughtRelatively Low$246,000[20]
HailRelatively Low$207,000[21]
WildfireVery Low$37,000[22]
Winter WeatherRelatively Low$38,000[23]
Heat WaveVery Low$81,000[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 vulnerabilityVery High86.0[10]
Community resilienceRelatively Low26.3[11]

Flooding and flood insurance

FEMA rates inland flooding risk Relatively Moderate for Wilkes County, with an Expected Annual Loss of $25.5 million a year[12]. OpenFEMA lists 26 residential flood insurance contracts in force as of 2026-08-03, and 12 contracts for 562 residential structures inside the Special Flood Hazard Area[26]. That means 2.1% of homes inside the SFHA are insured[26]. OpenFEMA records 34 NFIP claims for losses from 1978 to 2026, and NFIP paid $1.4 million in total[3]. For the flood zone of an address, use FEMA's Flood Map Service Center[27].

Measure Value
Inland Flooding, FEMA risk rating[12] Relatively Moderate, $25.5 million expected loss a year
NFIP residential flood policies in force (2026)[26] 26 of 45,646 homes
Homes in FEMA's mapped high-risk flood area (SFHA)[26] 562, of which 12 insured
NFIP flood claims, 1978 to 2026[3] 34 filed, $1.4 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 20 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Wilkes County since 1977[2]. The most recent is a Severe Winter Storm emergency declared 2026-01-24[28]. NOAA's tornado database records 12 tornadoes touching the county from 1950 to 2024, and the strongest were rated EF1[4].

Federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Wilkes County, since 1977
Incident type Declarations
Hurricane[2] 8
Snowstorm[2] 3
Flood[2] 3
Tropical Storm[2] 3
Severe Storm[2] 1
Winter Storm[2] 1
Drought[2] 1
Most recent declarations
Declaration Incident Declared
EM-3637-NC[28] Severe Winter Storm 2026-01-24
DR-4827-NC[28] Tropical Storm Helene 2024-09-28
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

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

Tornadoes

Before

  • Learn the warning signs: a rotating funnel cloud, an approaching cloud of debris or a loud roar like a freight train.
  • Sign up for community warning systems and learn what your local sirens sound like.
  • Pick a safe spot, such as a safe room built to FEMA criteria or an ICC 500 storm shelter, and practice getting there.
  • Include your pets in the household emergency plan.
  • Keep supplies, food, water and medication in case you have to stay home for a long time.

During

  • Go right away to the safe place you picked in advance.
  • Protect your head and neck with your arms and stay away from windows, doors and outside walls.
  • No place in a car is fully safe. If you can get lower than the road, leave the car and lie down there.

Source: Ready.gov, tornadoes

Questions people ask

Is Wilkes County at risk of flooding?
FEMA rates inland flooding risk Relatively Moderate for Wilkes County compared with other US counties[12]. FEMA's Flood Map Service Center shows the flood zone for a specific address[27].
Is Wilkes County at risk of tornadoes?
FEMA rates tornado risk Relatively Moderate compared with other US counties[18]. NOAA's tornado database records 12 tornadoes touching the county from 1950 to 2024[4].
Is Wilkes County at risk of earthquakes?
FEMA rates earthquake risk Relatively Low for Wilkes County compared with other US counties[16].
Is Wilkes County at risk of wildfire?
FEMA rates wildfire risk Very Low for Wilkes County compared with other US counties[22].
How many disasters have been declared in Wilkes County?
OpenFEMA lists 20 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Wilkes County since 1977[2].

Facts and sources

  1. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Expected Annual Loss from all 18 natural hazards in Wilkes County is $33.1 million a year (Expected Annual Loss rating Relatively Low, score 75.1). Of this, buildings account for $27.9 million, injuries and deaths (converted to dollars by FEMA) for $3.6... FEMA National Risk Index
  2. OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries list 20 federal disaster declarations for natural hazards that include Wilkes County since 1977 (10 major disaster, 10 emergency or fire management). By incident type: hurricane 8, snowstorm 3, flood 3, tropical storm 3, severe storm 1, winter storm 1, drought 1. Biological... OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations
  3. HazardFacts tally of OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims (losses from 1978 to 2026): 34 National Flood Insurance Program claims were filed for losses in Wilkes County, 23 of them with a payment, and NFIP paid $1.4 million in total (building, contents and increased cost of compliance, in dollars of the year paid). Years... OpenFEMA NFIP claims
  4. NOAA Storm Prediction Center tornado database (1950 to 2024): 12 recorded tornadoes touched Wilkes County. The strongest were rated EF1 (most recent of them on 2024-09-26). 0 were rated F3/EF3 or stronger. The most recent recorded tornado was on 2024-09-26. 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 Wilkes County is Relatively Moderate, with a Risk Index score of 82.6 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 Wilkes County are ice storm (93.1, Relatively High), inland flooding (89.6, Relatively Moderate), strong wind (78.4, Relatively Moderate). HazardFacts sorted FEMA's... FEMA National Risk Index
  7. 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
  8. HazardFacts sorted FEMA's hazard-type Expected Annual Loss values for Wilkes County (National Risk Index v1.20): the largest are inland flooding ($25.5 million a year), tornado ($1.9 million a year), cold wave ($1.7 million a year), out of $33.1 million a year from all 18 hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  9. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), ice storm in Wilkes County: Risk Index rating Relatively High (score 93.1 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $868,000 a year (rating Relatively High). Annualized frequency 1.14 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 68 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  10. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Social Vulnerability rating for Wilkes County is Very High (score 86.0). FEMA describes social vulnerability as how susceptible social groups are to the harm natural hazards cause. FEMA National Risk Index
  11. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025): Community Resilience rating for Wilkes County is Relatively Low (score 26.3). FEMA describes community resilience as a community's ability to prepare for, withstand and recover from hazards. FEMA National Risk Index
  12. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), inland flooding in Wilkes County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 89.6 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $25.5 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 1.64 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of... FEMA National Risk Index
  13. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), strong wind in Wilkes County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 78.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $831,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 2.65 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  14. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), landslide in Wilkes County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 75.8 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $6,790 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA National Risk Index
  15. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hurricane in Wilkes County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 75.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $710,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.04 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 172 years for the... FEMA National Risk Index
  16. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), earthquake in Wilkes County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 73.9 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $716,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0015 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  17. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), cold wave in Wilkes County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 73.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.7 million a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 0.74 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18... FEMA National Risk Index
  18. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), tornado in Wilkes County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 72.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $1.9 million a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 0.24 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 38 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  19. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), lightning in Wilkes County: Risk Index rating Relatively Moderate (score 69.3 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $328,000 a year (rating Relatively Moderate). Annualized frequency 50.48 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 24 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  20. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), drought in Wilkes County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 63.8 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $246,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 23.88 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 22 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  21. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), hail in Wilkes County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 53.4 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $207,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 4.72 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 37 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  22. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), wildfire in Wilkes County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 52.7 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $37,000 a year (rating Very Low). FEMA's modeled annual frequency is 0.0003 events per year. FEMA National Risk Index
  23. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), winter weather in Wilkes County: Risk Index rating Relatively Low (score 45.5 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $38,000 a year (rating Relatively Low). Annualized frequency 7.69 events per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  24. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025), heat wave in Wilkes County: Risk Index rating Very Low (score 28.0 of 100). Expected Annual Loss $81,000 a year (rating Very Low). Annualized frequency 0.32 event-days per year, from recorded occurrences over a period of record of 18 years. FEMA National Risk Index
  25. FEMA National Risk Index (version 1.20, December 2025) rates these hazards Not Applicable for Wilkes 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 geographically... FEMA National Risk Index documentation
  26. NFIP Residential Penetration Rates (OpenFEMA, as of 2026-08-03): 26 residential flood insurance contracts were in force in Wilkes County, out of 45,646 residential structures, a penetration rate of 0.1%. Inside FEMA's mapped Special Flood Hazard Area there were 562 residential structures and 12 contracts, a rate of... 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.