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

Davie County Disaster Risk

Davie County, North Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

42th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#85

of 100 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

59th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 23% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 37% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Davie County, North Carolina

Davie ranks as a lower-risk county nationally

Davie County's composite score of 41.67 falls below the national average of 50, carrying a "Very Low" risk rating. However, this favorable standing masks pockets of elevated hurricane and earthquake exposure that warrant targeted preparation.

Davie is among North Carolina's safest counties

Davie's 41.67 score sits substantially below the state average of 66.72, placing it among North Carolina's lowest-risk counties. The county's Piedmont location and distance from the coast contribute significantly to this favorable profile.

Davie faces far lower risk than eastern peers

Davie (41.67) experiences dramatically less risk than neighboring Davidson County (87.21) to the east and all eight eastern and coastal counties profiled here. Its isolated high scores in earthquake (55.22) and hurricane (69.96) reflect regional seismic activity and distant hurricane exposure rather than acute local threats.

Hurricanes and earthquakes are distant concerns

Hurricane risk at 69.96 represents Davie's most elevated score, though actual hurricane impacts remain infrequent at this inland Piedmont location. Earthquake risk of 55.22 and flood risk of 58.59 are secondary considerations; wildfire risk at 23.12 is minimal.

Standard homeowners coverage typically sufficient

Davie residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance for most perils, though those in identified flood zones should obtain separate flood coverage. Maintaining trees, clearing gutters, and securing outdoor items provides basic hurricane-preparedness measures suited to this lower-threat environment.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Davie County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    70th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    59th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    55th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Davie County

Risk Verdict

Davie County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 42th percentile nationally. Davie County's 42th percentile ranking is favorable, though every county carries at least one natural hazard worth knowing — reviewing the specific risks listed above helps households focus their preparedness where it matters most.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Davie County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 70th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 59th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (55th percentile), tornado (37th percentile), wildfire (23th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 70th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, Davie County households benefit from reviewing both homeowners and flood insurance coverage before storm season begins — standard policies often exclude storm surge, which is the leading cause of hurricane fatalities. Flood, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 59th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Davie County independent of hurricane season. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. Davie County households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.

Regional Context

Davie County falls 25.1 points below North Carolina's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Davie 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 Davie County, NC?
Davie County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 42th 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 Davie County?
Davie County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (70th percentile), flooding (59th percentile), earthquake (55th percentile), tornado (37th percentile), wildfire (23th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 70th 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 Davie County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Davie County's composite risk percentile is 42th, compared to the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Davie County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Carolina.
Is Davie County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Davie County's hurricane risk is at the 70th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Davie County is at the 59th 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 Davie County a safe place to live?
Davie County's composite risk score of 42th 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 70th 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.