riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

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 Advisory: Buncombe County

Risk Verdict

Buncombe County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 89th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is the dominant hazard for Buncombe County, scoring in the 92th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 85th percentile. Additional hazards include tornado (81th), wildfire (81th), hurricane (69th).

Preparedness Context

With flood risk as the top concern, Buncombe County residents should review flood insurance needs (standard home insurance does not cover flood damage), know your evacuation zone, and keep important documents waterproofed. Secondary risks such as earthquake also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Buncombe County is significantly riskier than the average county in North Carolina. Its composite risk score is 22.6 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Buncombe County, NC?
Buncombe County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 89th 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 Buncombe County?
Buncombe County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (92th percentile), earthquake (85th percentile), tornado (81th percentile), wildfire (81th percentile), hurricane (69th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 92th 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 Buncombe County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Buncombe County's composite risk percentile is 89th, compared to the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Buncombe County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Carolina.
Is Buncombe County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Buncombe County's flooding risk is at the 92th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type.
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.
Why is Buncombe County higher risk than average?
Buncombe County's composite risk score of 89th percentile is above the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (92th percentile), along with earthquake and tornado and wildfire and hurricane risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Duplin County

North Carolina

+0.1

Relatively Moderate

89th percentile

Cumberland County

North Carolina

+0.1

Relatively Moderate

89th percentile

Dare County

North Carolina

+0.3

Relatively Moderate

90th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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