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

Hoke County Disaster Risk

Hoke County, North Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

50th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#75

of 100 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

43th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 43% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 80% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 76% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 65% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Hoke County, North Carolina

Hoke County shows lowest regional risk

Hoke's composite risk score of 50.13 is well below the national average, earning a Relatively Low rating and positioning it among America's safer counties. Residents face significantly reduced natural disaster exposure compared to national norms.

Among North Carolina's lowest-risk counties

At 50.13, Hoke ranks in the bottom quarter of North Carolina's 100 counties, substantially below the state average of 66.72. This Sandhills location provides meaningful protection against most major hazard types.

Safest county in its immediate area

Hoke (50.13) significantly outperforms neighbors Robeson (higher risk) and Cumberland, making it a notably safer location in the southern Piedmont. Even compared to larger regions, Hoke maintains one of the state's lower risk profiles.

Wildfire and hurricane pose main threats

Hoke's wildfire risk (80.18) is elevated relative to its low composite score, reflecting Sandhills forest vulnerability during dry periods. Hurricane risk (83.98) ranks second, while flood, tornado, and earthquake risks remain comparatively modest.

Wildfire preparation matters most here

With wildfire risk at 80.18, maintain defensible space around your home and ensure your policy covers fire damage from wildfires. Standard homeowners coverage typically includes structure fire, but verify your specific wildfire protection.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Hoke County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    84th percentile
  2. #2
    WildfirePrepare
    80th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    76th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Hoke County

Risk Verdict

Hoke County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 50th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Households in Hoke County benefit from knowing which individual hazard types — flood, wildfire, tornado, or hurricane — are the primary contributors.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Hoke County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 84th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 80th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (76th percentile), earthquake (65th percentile), flood (43th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Hoke County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 84th 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. Hoke County's wildfire exposure at the 80th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Hoke 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

The North Carolina county average exceeds Hoke County's score by 16.6 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Hoke 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 Hoke County, NC?
Hoke County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 50th 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 Hoke County?
Hoke County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (84th percentile), wildfire (80th percentile), tornado (76th percentile), earthquake (65th percentile), flooding (43th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 84th 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 Hoke County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Hoke County's composite risk percentile is 50th, compared to the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Hoke County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Carolina.
Is Hoke County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Hoke County's hurricane risk is at the 84th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Hoke County is at the 43th 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 Hoke County a safe place to live?
Hoke County's composite risk score of 50th 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 84th 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.