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

Clay County Disaster Risk

Clay County, North Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

27th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#94

of 100 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

44th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 64% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Clay County, North Carolina

Clay ranks among America's safest counties

Clay County's composite risk score of 26.88 places it in the "Very Low" category, well below the national average. The county experiences minimal exposure to most natural disasters.

North Carolina's lowest-risk county profile

At 26.88, Clay's composite risk score is among the lowest in North Carolina, where the state average stands at 66.72. The county ranks as one of the state's safest places to live from a natural disaster perspective.

Significantly safer than regional peers

Clay's 26.88 score makes it safer than neighboring Cherokee County (56.71) and substantially below Catawba County (80.57). The county stands out as the region's safest from a natural disaster risk standpoint.

Wildfire and flood create modest concerns

Wildfire risk at 64.31 represents Clay's highest single hazard score, though still moderate by statewide standards, while flood risk stands at 43.83. Tornado, earthquake, and hurricane risks all remain well below state averages.

Standard coverage adequate for Clay County

Clay residents benefit from low overall risk, making standard homeowners insurance typically sufficient for most properties. Focus your coverage review on wildfire protection if you live in forested areas, given the county's 64.31 wildfire score.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Clay County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    WildfirePrepare
    64th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    48th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    48th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Clay County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Clay County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 27th percentile. Residents of Clay County can use the 27th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Wildfire risk is Clay County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 64th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 48th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (48th percentile), tornado (45th percentile), flood (44th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 64th percentile nationally for wildfire, Clay County residents should verify whether their insurance policy includes replacement cost coverage for structures and whether the insurer still writes new policies in this fire-risk zone. A secondary earthquake exposure at the 48th percentile nationally means Clay County residents face hazards from two distinct natural peril categories during different seasons. Local USFS or Cal Fire (where applicable) fire risk maps and seasonal Red Flag Warning alerts from the National Weather Service are two free resources Clay County residents can use to stay ahead of rapidly changing wildfire conditions.

Regional Context

Clay County is 39.8 composite risk points below the North Carolina state mean, meaning most other North Carolina counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Clay 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 Clay County, NC?
Clay County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 27th 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 Clay County?
Clay County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: wildfire (64th percentile), earthquake (48th percentile), hurricane (48th percentile), tornado (45th percentile), flooding (44th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is wildfire at the 64th 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 Clay County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Clay County's composite risk percentile is 27th, compared to the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Clay County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Carolina.
Is Clay County at risk for wildfire?
Yes, Clay County's wildfire risk is at the 64th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Clay County is at the 44th 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 Clay County a safe place to live?
Clay County's composite risk score of 27th 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 wildfire at the 64th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Madison County

North Carolina

+0.5

Very Low

27th percentile

Mitchell County

North Carolina

-2.9

Very Low

24th percentile

Caswell County

North Carolina

-4.5

Very Low

22th percentile

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.

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