Chatham County Disaster Risk
Chatham County, North Carolina
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
67th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#57
of 100 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
74th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 74% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 33% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 76% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 61% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 83% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Chatham County, North Carolina
Chatham's risk slightly above national average
Chatham County's composite risk score of 67.18 places it in the "Relatively Low" category, marginally above the national average. The county experiences moderate natural hazard exposure across multiple threat types.
Close to North Carolina's typical risk level
Chatham's score of 67.18 sits just above the state average of 66.72, placing it near the middle of North Carolina's risk distribution. The county mirrors statewide vulnerability patterns closely.
Risk profile mirrors regional peers
Chatham's 67.18 score places it between nearby Caswell County (22.36) and Catawba County (80.57), reflecting middle-ground risk in its region. The county's exposure is more balanced than some surrounding areas.
Hurricanes and tornadoes create seasonal patterns
Chatham faces hurricane risk of 83.35 and tornado risk of 75.80, both above state averages and driven by Atlantic weather systems. Flood risk at 74.40 rounds out the county's primary hazard triad.
Invest in comprehensive multi-hazard coverage
With three major hazards all scoring above 74, Chatham homeowners should maintain robust coverage for wind, water, and flood damage. Ensure your policy covers both summer tornado season and fall hurricane season exposures.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Chatham County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Chatham County
Risk Verdict
Chatham County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 67th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Chatham County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Chatham County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 83th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 76th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (74th percentile), earthquake (61th percentile), wildfire (33th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Hurricane risk is Chatham County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 83th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Tornado at the 76th percentile nationally is Chatham County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Chatham County's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.
Regional Context
At just 0.5 composite points from the North Carolina average, Chatham County's natural disaster risk is closely in line with its in-state peers.
Is your household prepared for Chatham County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Chatham County, NC?
What types of natural hazards affect Chatham County?
How does Chatham County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Is Chatham County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Chatham 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.