Lincoln County Disaster Risk
Lincoln County, North Carolina
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
74th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#45
of 100 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
83th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 83% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 38% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 77% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 66% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Lincoln County, North Carolina
Lincoln County's risk exceeds the U.S. average
Lincoln County scores 73.76 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the Relatively Low category but above the national average. The score reflects substantial exposure to floods, tornadoes, and earthquakes, positioning Lincoln as a higher-hazard county in regional and national context.
Lincoln ranks above the North Carolina average
At 73.76, Lincoln County's composite score exceeds the state average of 66.72, placing it in the upper-middle range of North Carolina counties for natural disaster risk. The county's elevated profile reflects concentrated threats in flood and tornado hazards.
Lincoln shares risk patterns with Iredell County
Lincoln (73.76) and Iredell County (80.79) face similar flood risks—83.24 and 86.64, respectively—and comparable tornado exposure around 78–86. Both are part of a contiguous Piedmont region with shared water and wind vulnerabilities.
Floods and tornadoes pose major threats to Lincoln
Flood risk ranks highest at 83.24, followed closely by tornado risk at 78.44, both well above state norms and reflecting Lincoln's Piedmont geography. Earthquake risk also reaches 77.48, while wildfire risk remains relatively modest at 37.85.
Flood and wind coverage should be your priority
Lincoln residents should purchase homeowners insurance that explicitly includes flood damage coverage and wind/hail protection, given the county's elevated flood and tornado scores. Test your smoke alarms, update your emergency contact list, and familiarize your family with your local tornado safe room.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Lincoln County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Lincoln County
Risk Verdict
Lincoln County ranks at the 74th 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
Flood risk is Lincoln County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 83th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 78th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (77th percentile), hurricane (66th percentile), wildfire (38th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Lincoln County sits at the 83th percentile nationally for flood exposure. Knowing your property's flood zone designation — available at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center — is the first step toward understanding actual exposure and insurance options. Secondary tornado exposure at the 78th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. Regardless of specific hazard, Lincoln County households benefit from a practiced communication plan: a designated out-of-state contact and a pre-agreed evacuation destination established before the season's peak risk period.
Regional Context
Compared to other North Carolina counties, Lincoln County runs 7.0 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.
Is your household prepared for Lincoln County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Lincoln County, NC?
What types of natural hazards affect Lincoln County?
How does Lincoln County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Is Lincoln County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Lincoln 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.