riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Lee County Disaster Risk

Lee County, North Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

67th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#55

of 100 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

72th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 54% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 81% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Lee County

Risk Verdict

Lee County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 67th 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 Lee County, scoring in the 85th percentile nationally. It is followed by tornado risk at the 81th percentile. Additional hazards include flood (72th), earthquake (70th), wildfire (54th).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane risk as the top concern, Lee 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 tornado 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

Lee County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in North Carolina. Its composite risk score is within 0.8 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of North Carolina as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Lee County, NC?
Lee County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 67th 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 Lee County?
Lee County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (85th percentile), tornado (81th percentile), flooding (72th percentile), earthquake (70th percentile), wildfire (54th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 85th 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 Lee County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Lee County's composite risk percentile is 67th, compared to the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Lee County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Carolina.
Is Lee County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Lee County's hurricane risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Lee County is at the 72th 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 Lee County higher risk than average?
Lee County's composite risk score of 67th percentile is above the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by hurricane exposure (85th percentile), along with tornado and flooding and earthquake and wildfire 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

Caldwell County

North Carolina

-0.1

Relatively Low

67th percentile

Chatham County

North Carolina

-0.3

Relatively Low

67th percentile

Hertford County

North Carolina

+0.7

Relatively Low

68th 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.

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