Burke County Disaster Risk
Burke County, North Carolina
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
70th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#52
of 100 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
79th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 79% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 47% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 75% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 72% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 67% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Burke County, North Carolina
Burke's risk below national levels
Burke County scores 70.17 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the relatively low category near the national average. This makes Burke one of the safer choices in North Carolina, though residents still face meaningful flood and tornado exposure.
Mid-range risk among state counties
Burke ranks in the lower-to-middle tier of North Carolina counties with a composite score of 70.17, slightly above the state average of 66.72. The county's inland foothills location protects it from coastal hazards while exposing it to mountain-related risks.
Comparable risk to nearby Caldwell
Burke (70.17) and neighboring Caldwell County (67.43) sit in the lower-risk tier, substantially safer than western mountain peer Buncombe (89.34). Both counties benefit from their inland, elevated positions despite sharing tornado and flood vulnerabilities.
Floods and tornadoes require attention
Burke's primary hazards are flood risk (79.33) and tornado risk (75.22), both reflecting the county's Appalachian geography and seasonal storm patterns. Earthquake exposure (72.30) also registers moderately, while wildfire risk (46.98) is notably low.
Standard coverage addresses main threats
Burke residents should prioritize standard homeowners' insurance with wind and hail coverage for tornado protection, plus flood insurance if near waterways. A basement safe room or reinforced interior closet provides affordable refuge during severe weather events.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Burke County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Burke County
Risk Verdict
Burke County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 70th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Burke County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Burke County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 75th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (72th percentile), hurricane (67th percentile), wildfire (47th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Burke County's top natural hazard is flood risk, ranked at the 79th percentile nationally. Homeowners here should confirm whether they are in a FEMA-designated flood zone and check if standard homeowners insurance covers flood damage — it typically does not. Alongside flooding, tornado exposure at the 75th percentile means households benefit from a multi-hazard preparedness plan rather than focusing on flood alone. For most Burke County households, the highest-return preparedness step is storing critical documents in digital cloud backup combined with a pre-designated family meeting point if communication is disrupted.
Regional Context
At just 3.4 composite points from the North Carolina average, Burke County's natural disaster risk is closely in line with its in-state peers.
Is your household prepared for Burke County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Burke County, NC?
What types of natural hazards affect Burke County?
How does Burke County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Is Burke County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Burke 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.