riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Hertford County Disaster Risk

Hertford County, North Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

68th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#54

of 100 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

51th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 51% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 31% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 94% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Hertford County

Risk Verdict

Hertford County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 68th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is the dominant hazard for Hertford County, scoring in the 94th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 54th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (51th), tornado (48th), wildfire (31th).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane risk as the top concern, Hertford County residents should know your evacuation route, stockpile supplies for at least 72 hours, and review your homeowners and flood insurance policies annually. Secondary risks such as earthquake 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

Hertford County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in North Carolina. Its composite risk score is within 1.4 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of North Carolina as a whole.

Is your home insured against Hertford County's risks?

Compare home and flood insurance quotes in minutes.

Get Quotes →

Sponsored

High flood risk area

Learn about NFIP flood insurance coverage for your property.

Learn More →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Hertford County, NC?
Hertford County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 68th 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 Hertford County?
Hertford County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (94th percentile), earthquake (54th percentile), flooding (51th percentile), tornado (48th percentile), wildfire (31th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 94th 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 Hertford County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Hertford County's composite risk percentile is 68th, compared to the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Hertford County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Carolina.
Is Hertford County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Hertford County's hurricane risk is at the 94th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Hertford County is at the 51th 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 Hertford County higher risk than average?
Hertford County's composite risk score of 68th percentile is above the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (94th percentile), along with earthquake and flooding 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

Lee County

North Carolina

-0.7

Relatively Low

67th percentile

Caldwell County

North Carolina

-0.7

Relatively Low

67th percentile

Chatham County

North Carolina

-1.0

Relatively Low

67th 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.

Explore more data for Hertford County

Property TaxCost of LivingCrime RateIncomeHealthSchoolsWater QualityWeatherCounty Score