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

Caswell County Disaster Risk

Caswell County, North Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

22th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#96

of 100 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

38th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 38% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 24% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 39% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Caswell County, North Carolina

Caswell ranks far below national risk

Caswell County's composite risk score of 22.36 places it in the "Very Low" category, well below the national average. This means residents face significantly lower exposure to natural disasters compared to most U.S. counties.

Among North Carolina's safest counties

At 22.36, Caswell's composite risk score ranks among the lowest in North Carolina, where the state average stands at 66.72. The county sits well below the typical risk profile for its state.

Safer than surrounding counties

Caswell's score of 22.36 makes it one of the safest counties in its region, compared to nearby Chatham County (67.18) and Chowan County (34.29). Neighbors to the west and south face notably higher composite risks.

Hurricane exposure tops Caswell's risks

Despite low overall risk, Caswell faces elevated hurricane risk at 73.63, driven by Atlantic storm surge and wind patterns. Tornado risk stands at 39.50 and flood risk at 37.72, creating a secondary concern for residents.

Focus hurricane coverage for peace of mind

While Caswell remains a relatively safe county, the 73.63 hurricane risk score warrants comprehensive homeowners insurance with wind and water damage coverage. Review your policy annually to ensure you're protected against Atlantic hurricane seasons.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Caswell County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    74th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    40th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    39th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Caswell County

Risk Verdict

Caswell County's overall natural disaster score at the 22th percentile puts it well below the national median for hazard exposure. Even at the 22th percentile, Caswell County's composite score reflects real hazard exposure categories — knowing which ones apply locally enables targeted, efficient household preparedness.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Caswell County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 74th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 40th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (39th percentile), flood (38th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 74th percentile nationally makes Caswell County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Caswell County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Caswell County's tornado exposure at the 40th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Caswell County residents benefit from registering with the county's special-needs evacuation registry if household members have mobility limitations, require electricity-dependent medical equipment, or cannot self-evacuate — registration in advance of storm season is required.

Regional Context

Caswell County's composite risk score sits 44.4 points below the North Carolina county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Caswell 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 Caswell County, NC?
Caswell County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 22th 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 Caswell County?
Caswell County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (74th percentile), tornado (40th percentile), earthquake (39th percentile), flooding (38th percentile), wildfire (24th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 74th 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 Caswell County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Caswell County's composite risk percentile is 22th, compared to the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Caswell County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Carolina.
Is Caswell County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Caswell County's hurricane risk is at the 74th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Caswell County is at the 38th 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 Caswell County a safe place to live?
Caswell County's composite risk score of 22th 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 74th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.