Jones County Disaster Risk
Jones County, North Carolina
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
65th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#62
of 100 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
33th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Very Low
Higher than 33% 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
Very Low
Higher than 22% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Very Low
Higher than 32% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively High
Higher than 94% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Jones County, North Carolina
Jones County's risk is below the national norm
Jones County scores 64.50 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Low category and below the national average. However, the county faces a concentrated hurricane threat that masks otherwise manageable risks in other hazard categories.
Jones ranks below the North Carolina average
At 64.50, Jones County's composite score falls slightly below the state average of 66.72, positioning it among North Carolina's lower-risk counties. This favorable profile is tempered by a singular, severe vulnerability to Atlantic hurricanes.
Jones is the safest county in its peer group
Jones County (64.50) ranks notably lower than neighboring Lenoir County (84.61) and Lee County (67.49), making it the relatively safest in the region. This advantage stems from dramatically lower flood, tornado, and earthquake risks, though hurricane exposure remains consistently high across all three.
Hurricanes dominate Jones County's hazard profile
Hurricane risk reaches 94.49 in Jones, towering above all other hazards and driving the county's overall exposure. By contrast, tornado risk sits at just 21.76, flood risk at 33.20, and earthquake risk at 32.03—all well below state and national averages.
Hurricane preparedness is your top priority
Jones residents should focus insurance and evacuation planning specifically on hurricane season, ensuring your policy covers wind damage and storm surge where applicable. Maintain a 30-day emergency kit, know your evacuation route, and stay informed through the National Hurricane Center during Atlantic storm season.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Jones County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Jones County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard pressure in Jones County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 65th percentile. Proactive emergency planning and awareness of the specific hazards driving Jones County's score can meaningfully reduce household risk.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Jones County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 94th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Wildfire ranks second at the 48th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (33th percentile), earthquake (32th percentile), tornado (22th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Hurricane exposure at the 94th percentile nationally makes Jones County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Jones County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Wildfire at the 48th percentile nationally is Jones County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Jones County residents benefit from registering with the county's special-needs evacuation registry if household members have mobility limitations, require electricity-dependent medical equipment, or cannot self-evacuate — registration in advance of storm season is required.
Regional Context
Jones County's risk score is broadly comparable to the North Carolina county average, with a 2.2-point gap that places the county near the center of the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Jones County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Jones County, NC?
What types of natural hazards affect Jones County?
How does Jones County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
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Is Jones County a safe place to live?
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.