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

Greene County Disaster Risk

Greene County, North Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

63th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#65

of 100 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

40th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 47% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 93% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Greene County, North Carolina

Greene County faces moderate disaster exposure

Greene County's composite risk score of 62.63 sits slightly below the North Carolina state average of 66.72, earning a "Relatively Low" rating despite meaningful exposure to multiple hazards. The county's eastern location creates particular vulnerability to hurricanes while tempering risks from tornadoes and earthquakes. Greene residents face manageable but important natural disaster considerations.

Greene ranks safely below state average

With a composite score of 62.63, Greene County positions itself slightly below North Carolina's state average of 66.72, placing it in the safer half of the state's counties. The county's hurricane risk (92.91) stands among the state's highest due to eastern location, while tornado (59.03) and earthquake (47.20) exposure remain moderate. Greene's overall profile reflects coastal plain vulnerability tempered by distance from the coast.

Greene sits in moderate regional tier

Greene's score of 62.63 slightly exceeds Franklin County (51.72) while trailing higher-risk neighbors like Edgecombe County (76.37) and Gaston County (84.86). The county's exceptional hurricane risk (92.91) distinguishes it from many peers, reflecting its eastern location and exposure to Atlantic systems. This positioning places Greene in the region's moderate-to-elevated tier for coastal hazards specifically.

Hurricanes dominate Greene's risk profile

Greene County's most pressing natural disaster threat comes from hurricanes (92.91)—the highest risk score across all hazard categories and substantially above state and national norms. Tornadoes (59.03) and floods (39.50) present secondary but still meaningful risks, while earthquakes (47.20) and wildfires (29.42) remain relatively minor concerns. Hurricane preparedness and protection form the core of your disaster strategy.

Hurricane coverage is absolutely essential

Greene County's exceptional hurricane risk (92.91) makes comprehensive wind and hail coverage in your homeowners policy non-negotiable—standard policies provide this, but verify your coverage limits match your home's replacement value. Add flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, particularly if your property sits in or near mapped flood zones, as hurricanes frequently produce heavy rainfall and flooding. Contact your agent today to ensure your home can withstand Greene County's primary natural disaster threat.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Greene County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    93th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    59th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    47th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Greene County

Risk Verdict

Greene County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 63th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Greene County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Greene County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 93th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 59th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (47th percentile), flood (40th percentile), wildfire (29th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Greene County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 93th 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 59th percentile nationally is Greene County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Greene 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 4.1 composite points from the North Carolina average, Greene County's natural disaster risk is closely in line with its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Greene 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 Greene County, NC?
Greene County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 63th 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 Greene County?
Greene County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (93th percentile), tornado (59th percentile), earthquake (47th percentile), flooding (40th percentile), wildfire (29th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 93th 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 Greene County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Greene County's composite risk percentile is 63th, compared to the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Greene County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Carolina.
Is Greene County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Greene County's hurricane risk is at the 93th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Greene County is at the 40th 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 Greene County a safe place to live?
Greene County's composite risk score of 63th 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 93th 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.