Bladen County Disaster Risk
Bladen County, North Carolina
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
85th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#28
of 100 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
66th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 85% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 70% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively High
Higher than 96% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Bladen County, North Carolina
Bladen's moderate risk picture nationally
Bladen County scores 84.57 on the composite risk scale, landing it in the relatively moderate category—well above the national average. This score reflects significant exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly hurricanes and wildfires, that outpace typical U.S. county risk profiles.
Third-riskiest county in North Carolina
Bladen ranks among the state's higher-risk counties with a composite score of 84.57, compared to the state average of 66.72. The county's risk exceeds most of its peers in North Carolina, driven largely by elevated hurricane and wildfire exposure.
Higher risk than western county neighbors
Bladen's 84.57 composite score significantly exceeds nearby Burke County (70.17) and Caldwell County (67.43), placing it in a riskier category than its inland neighbors. However, it ranks below coastal Brunswick County (95.77), which faces even greater compound hazard exposure.
Hurricanes and wildfires dominate here
Bladen residents face extreme hurricane risk at 96.41—among the highest in the state—combined with substantial wildfire exposure of 84.64. Tornado risk (78.15) and flood risk (65.74) also warrant attention, creating a multi-layered natural disaster landscape.
Prepare for wind and fire threats
Given Bladen's hurricane and wildfire vulnerabilities, wind and property coverage should be priorities in your homeowners' insurance. Review flood insurance options as well, particularly if you're in a flood-prone area, and secure important documents in a protected location.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Bladen County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Bladen County
Risk Verdict
With a composite score at the 85th percentile, Bladen County sits above the national median for natural hazard exposure. Proactive preparedness — not reactive response — is key to managing life in one of the country's higher-risk counties; Bladen County residents should plan accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Bladen County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 96th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 85th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (78th percentile), earthquake (70th percentile), flood (66th percentile).
Preparedness Context
At the 96th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, Bladen County households benefit from reviewing both homeowners and flood insurance coverage before storm season begins — standard policies often exclude storm surge, which is the leading cause of hurricane fatalities. Wildfire, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 85th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Bladen County independent of hurricane season. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. Bladen County households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.
Regional Context
At 17.8 points above the North Carolina state average, Bladen County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical North Carolina county.
Is your household prepared for Bladen County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Bladen County, NC?
What types of natural hazards affect Bladen County?
How does Bladen County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Is Bladen County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Bladen County higher risk than average?
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.