Chowan County Disaster Risk
Chowan County, North Carolina
FEMA Risk Rating
Very Low
National Percentile
34th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#92
of 100 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
52th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 52% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 26% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 27% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 32% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 90% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Chowan County, North Carolina
Chowan ranks among safest U.S. counties
Chowan County's composite risk score of 34.29 places it in the "Very Low" category, far below the national average. The county experiences minimal exposure to most natural disasters except for one critical exception.
Well below average for North Carolina
Chowan's score of 34.29 ranks substantially below North Carolina's state average of 66.72, placing it among the state's safest counties. The county benefits from relatively low vulnerability across most hazard categories.
Safer than most surrounding counties
Chowan's 34.29 score makes it safer than nearby Caswell County (22.36) and Catawba County (80.57), reflecting strong protections in its immediate region. The county's risk profile compares favorably to neighbors.
Hurricane risk emerges as critical concern
While Chowan ranks very low overall, its hurricane risk score of 89.53 stands among the highest in the state, driven by coastal proximity and Atlantic storm surge exposure. Tornado and earthquake risks remain comparatively low at 27.13 and 31.97.
Hurricane insurance is non-negotiable
Despite overall low risk, Chowan's 89.53 hurricane risk demands robust homeowners insurance with comprehensive wind and water damage coverage. Ensure your policy includes hurricane-specific protections and review it before Atlantic hurricane season.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Chowan County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Chowan County
Risk Verdict
Compared to the nation's 3,144 counties, Chowan County ranks at the 34th percentile for natural disaster risk — toward the safer end of the spectrum. Chowan County residents can take confidence from a 34th percentile ranking, but even lower-risk counties benefit from a practiced household communication plan and awareness of the specific hazards listed above.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Chowan County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 52th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (32th percentile), tornado (27th percentile), wildfire (26th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With hurricane ranked at the 90th percentile nationally, Chowan County sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Flood, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 52th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Chowan County independent of hurricane season. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Chowan County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.
Regional Context
At 32.4 points below the North Carolina state average, Chowan County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.
Is your household prepared for Chowan County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Chowan County, NC?
What types of natural hazards affect Chowan County?
How does Chowan County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Is Chowan County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Chowan County a safe place to live?
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.