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FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Bertie County Disaster Risk

Bertie County, North Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

66th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#60

of 100 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

46th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 36% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 46% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Bertie County, North Carolina

Bertie County carries near-average national risk

Bertie County's composite risk score of 66.38 sits just slightly below the U.S. average, earning a "Relatively Low" rating. The county's significant hurricane exposure (93.33) distinguishes it despite moderate overall risk.

Essentially matches North Carolina's state average

At 66.38, Bertie County mirrors North Carolina's 66.72 state average almost exactly, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's risk distribution. The county's hurricane risk at 93.33 represents its most distinctive hazard vulnerability.

Safer than coastal Beaufort, similar to inland peers

Bertie County's 66.38 score significantly trails the riskier Beaufort County (88.17) immediately to the east. The county sits in an interesting vulnerability band—more exposed to hurricanes than inland counties, but less threatened than directly coastal jurisdictions.

Hurricane risk towers above all other hazards

Hurricane risk reaches 93.33 in Bertie County, making it your dominant natural hazard concern by far. Tornado risk at 62.05 and flood risk at 46.37 rank substantially lower, but tropical storm season demands your full preparation efforts.

Hurricane preparation is your primary priority

With hurricane risk at 93.33, Bertie County residents should invest in storm-resistant upgrades like reinforced roofing and impact-resistant windows. Maintain homeowners insurance with current replacement-cost coverage, prepare a hurricane kit each spring, and review your evacuation plan annually.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Bertie County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    93th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    62th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    46th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Bertie County

Risk Verdict

Bertie County sits below the national average for natural disaster exposure, ranking at the 66th percentile across all U.S. counties. Understanding the specific hazards behind Bertie County's ranking helps residents prioritize where to direct emergency planning efforts.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Bertie County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 62th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (46th percentile), earthquake (46th percentile), wildfire (36th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 93th percentile nationally for hurricane risk, Bertie County is in a zone where flood insurance matters beyond the primary wind risk: NFIP flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period before taking effect, making off-season enrollment the correct timing. Bertie County's tornado exposure at the 62th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. For Bertie County households, the hurricane preparedness calendar matters: flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period, wind-hardening retrofits take weeks to schedule, and evacuation route scouting is best done before a storm watch is issued.

Regional Context

Bertie County's composite risk score is within 0.3 points of the North Carolina county average — a close alignment that reflects a broadly representative hazard environment for this part of the state.

Is your household prepared for Bertie County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Bertie County, NC?
Bertie County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 66th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Bertie County?
Bertie County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (93th percentile), tornado (62th percentile), flooding (46th percentile), earthquake (46th percentile), wildfire (36th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 93th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Bertie County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Bertie County's composite risk percentile is 66th, compared to the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Bertie County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Carolina.
Is Bertie County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Bertie County's hurricane risk is at the 93th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Bertie County is at the 46th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Bertie County a safe place to live?
Bertie County's composite risk score of 66th percentile is below the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 93th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Hyde County

North Carolina

+0.1

Relatively Low

66th percentile

Ashe County

North Carolina

+0.4

Relatively Low

67th percentile

Chatham County

North Carolina

+0.8

Relatively Low

67th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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