Buncombe County Disaster Risk
Buncombe County, North Carolina
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
89th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#18
of 100 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
92th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 92% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 81% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 81% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 85% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 69% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Buncombe County, North Carolina
Buncombe ranks above national average
Buncombe County's composite risk score of 89.34 places it in the relatively moderate category—notably higher than the national average. The county's mountain location and recent flooding events drive elevated risk across multiple hazard categories.
Second-riskiest county in North Carolina
Buncombe ranks second highest in composite risk among North Carolina counties with a score of 89.34, well above the state average of 66.72. Only Brunswick County exceeds it, reflecting Buncombe's unique geographic vulnerabilities.
Substantially riskier than surrounding counties
Buncombe's 89.34 score far exceeds neighbors Burke County (70.17) and Caldwell County (67.43) in the western Appalachian region. Its elevated ranking stems from mountainous terrain that amplifies flood and wildfire risks.
Flooding and earthquakes pose serious threat
Buncombe faces 91.73 flood risk—the highest in its region—driven by mountain streams and heavy precipitation, along with 85.40 earthquake risk reflecting its position in an active seismic zone. Wildfire risk (80.63) and tornado exposure (81.33) add additional layers of hazard.
Flood insurance is essential here
Buncombe's flood risk demands that homeowners secure flood insurance regardless of FEMA zone designation, as mountain streams and sudden weather events create localized inundation. Store valuables in waterproof containers and maintain emergency supplies including water and medications.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Buncombe County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Buncombe County
Risk Verdict
Buncombe County registers a moderately elevated natural disaster risk, ranking at the 89th percentile across all U.S. counties. High composite risk signals that multiple hazard types are elevated simultaneously; planning for more than one scenario is important in Buncombe County.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Buncombe County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 92th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 85th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (81th percentile), wildfire (81th percentile), hurricane (69th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Buncombe County's dominant hazard is flooding, ranked at the 92th percentile nationally. In addition to flood insurance, residents should identify their nearest evacuation shelter and store key documents in waterproof containers. The county's second-ranked hazard, earthquake at the 85th percentile nationally, means Buncombe County residents face compounding risks from multiple natural hazard types during peak seasons. Buncombe County's county emergency management office publishes hazard-specific guidance tailored to local conditions; bookmarking that resource and the county's alert system is a practical first step for any household.
Regional Context
Buncombe County falls 22.6 points above North Carolina's typical county risk level, which means the hazard environment here is notably more demanding than the state baseline.
Is your household prepared for Buncombe County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Buncombe County, NC?
What types of natural hazards affect Buncombe County?
How does Buncombe County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Is Buncombe County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Buncombe 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.