Hyde County Disaster Risk
Hyde County, North Carolina
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
66th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#59
of 100 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
84th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 84% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 75% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Very Low
Higher than 22% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 19% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively High
Higher than 95% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Hyde County, North Carolina
Hyde County faces near-average national risk
Hyde's composite score of 66.44 sits right at the national median, earning a Relatively Low rating. This Outer Banks location experiences typical American-level disaster exposure, though with distinct coastal hazards.
Very close to North Carolina's state average
At 66.44, Hyde ranks almost exactly at the state average of 66.72, placing it squarely in the middle of North Carolina's risk distribution. The county experiences balanced exposure to multiple regional hazard types.
Similar profile to other Outer Banks counties
Hyde (66.44) aligns closely with Dare and Beaufort counties in overall risk, reflecting shared coastal Outer Banks geography. Slight differences in hurricane and flood scores reflect varying barrier island and inlet exposure.
Hurricanes and flooding dominate coastal threats
Hyde faces hurricane risk of 94.58 and flood risk of 84.40—both exceptionally high due to low elevation and barrier island exposure. Wildfire risk (74.71) reflects vegetation vulnerability, while tornado and earthquake risks remain minimal at 21.72 and 19.02 respectively.
Coastal hurricane and flood insurance essential
With hurricane risk at 94.58 and flood risk at 84.40, comprehensive coastal coverage is non-negotiable; secure both separate flood insurance and robust wind/water damage coverage. Elevation, storm-resistant construction, and regular maintenance provide critical supplemental protection.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Hyde County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Hyde County
Risk Verdict
Hyde County ranks at the 66th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Residents are encouraged to understand which hazards dominate locally and tailor their preparedness accordingly.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Hyde County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 95th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 84th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (75th percentile), tornado (22th percentile), earthquake (19th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Hyde County ranks at the 95th percentile nationally for hurricane risk. For coastal counties, wind-resistant shutters or impact-rated windows represent the highest single structural investment for reducing property damage. Flood, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 84th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Hyde County independent of hurricane season. For extended post-storm outages common in Hyde County's hurricane zone, a portable generator (operated outdoors only) and a supply of non-perishable food for at least seven days provides meaningful household resilience.
Regional Context
The county's composite score diverges by only 0.3 points from the North Carolina average, making Hyde County's hazard profile broadly typical for this part of the state.
Is your household prepared for Hyde County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Hyde County, NC?
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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.