Lenoir County Disaster Risk
Lenoir County, North Carolina
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
85th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#27
of 100 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
79th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 79% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 34% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 86% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 74% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively High
Higher than 95% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Lenoir County, North Carolina
Lenoir County faces Relatively Moderate national risk
Lenoir County's composite score of 84.61 places it in the Relatively Moderate category, well above the national average and among the highest-risk counties examined. The score is driven by extreme hurricane and tornado exposure that dominate the county's natural hazard profile.
Lenoir ranks among North Carolina's riskiest counties
At 84.61, Lenoir County's composite score substantially exceeds the state average of 66.72, placing it in the upper tier of North Carolina's most hazard-prone counties. Only Johnston County (85.56) surpasses it in overall risk within this dataset.
Lenoir far exceeds the risk of neighboring Lee
Lenoir (84.61) carries dramatically higher risk than adjacent Lee County (67.49), driven by Lenoir's hurricane score of 94.91 and tornado score of 86.45. The 17-point gap makes Lenoir one of the region's most hazard-exposed areas.
Hurricanes and tornadoes threaten Lenoir residents
Hurricane risk stands at an extreme 94.91, while tornado risk reaches 86.45, creating dual wind-driven threats that dominate Lenoir's hazard landscape. Flood risk adds further vulnerability at 79.13, though wildfire remains relatively low at 33.68.
Comprehensive wind and flood insurance is essential
Lenoir residents must secure homeowners insurance that covers both hurricane wind damage and flood risk, with adequate limits to protect your property. Establish a family emergency plan before hurricane season, identify your safe room, and keep critical documents in a waterproof, portable container.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Lenoir County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Lenoir County
Risk Verdict
Lenoir County faces a moderate natural disaster risk profile, ranking at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's composite risk model. This risk level calls for more than general awareness: insurance coverage review, a family communication plan, and a prepared go-bag are practical priorities.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Lenoir County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 95th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 86th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (79th percentile), earthquake (74th percentile), wildfire (34th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Hurricane risk is Lenoir County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 95th 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. Tornado, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 86th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Lenoir County independent of hurricane season. Lenoir 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
Lenoir County's composite risk score sits 17.9 points above the North Carolina county average, placing it among the more hazard-exposed counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Lenoir County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Lenoir County, NC?
What types of natural hazards affect Lenoir County?
How does Lenoir County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Is Lenoir County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Lenoir County higher risk than average?
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.