riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Gaston County Disaster Risk

Gaston County, North Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

85th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#26

of 100 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

89th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 89% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Gaston County

Risk Verdict

Gaston County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 85th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Gaston County, scoring in the 91th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 89th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (86th), hurricane (70th), wildfire (48th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Gaston County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Gaston County is significantly riskier than the average county in North Carolina. Its composite risk score is 18.1 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Gaston County, NC?
Gaston County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 85th 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 Gaston County?
Gaston County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (91th percentile), flooding (89th percentile), earthquake (86th percentile), hurricane (70th percentile), wildfire (48th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 91th 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 Gaston County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Gaston County's composite risk percentile is 85th, compared to the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Gaston County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Carolina.
Is Gaston County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Gaston County's tornado risk is at the 91th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Gaston County is at the 89th 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.
Why is Gaston County higher risk than average?
Gaston County's composite risk score of 85th percentile is above the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (91th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake and hurricane risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Lenoir County

North Carolina

-0.3

Relatively Moderate

85th percentile

Bladen County

North Carolina

-0.3

Relatively Moderate

85th percentile

Johnston County

North Carolina

+0.7

Relatively Moderate

86th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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