Moore County Disaster Risk
Moore County, North Carolina
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
76th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#42
of 100 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
76th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 76% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 82% 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 76% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 88% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Moore County, North Carolina
Moore County faces above-average disaster risk
Moore County scores 75.64 on the composite risk scale with a "Relatively Low" rating, about 13% above North Carolina's 66.72 state average, indicating elevated but manageable hazard exposure. The county experiences notably high scores across tornadoes (85.66), hurricanes (88.28), wildfires (81.81), and floods (76.43), creating a compound-threat environment.
Upper-middle risk tier in North Carolina
Moore County ranks in the upper-middle of North Carolina counties, with tornado risk (85.66) and hurricane risk (88.28) among the state's highest. The county's Piedmont location and proximity to both tornado alley pathways and Atlantic storm tracks drive this elevated multi-hazard exposure.
Riskier than Montgomery, similar to Nash
Moore County's 75.64 score substantially exceeds Montgomery County (48.95) but closely mirrors Nash County (80.60), reflecting a shared piedmont vulnerability to severe weather and tropical systems. The county's elevated wildfire risk (81.81) distinguishes it from some neighbors, likely due to forest coverage and seasonal drought conditions.
Tornadoes and hurricanes dominate threats
Tornado risk (85.66) is Moore County's highest hazard, reflecting the county's position relative to spring and early-summer severe weather systems that traverse the piedmont. Hurricane risk (88.28) ranks nearly as high despite the county's inland location, driven by tropical system rainfall and wind exposure from Atlantic storms reaching the region.
Invest in storm shelters and insurance
Moore County residents should secure comprehensive homeowners insurance including flood coverage, and consider installing a home storm shelter or identifying community safe rooms for tornado events. Maintain an emergency kit, know your evacuation routes for hurricane season, and trim trees regularly to reduce windstorm damage—this county's compound threat profile demands serious preparedness investment.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Moore County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Moore County
Risk Verdict
Moore County's FEMA risk score places it at the 76th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. At this risk level, having a documented household preparedness plan — not just awareness — is the meaningful next step for Moore County residents.
Hazard Breakdown
Hurricane risk is Moore County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 88th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 86th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (82th percentile), flood (76th percentile), earthquake (76th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With hurricane ranked at the 88th percentile nationally, Moore County sits in a zone where multi-day supply readiness matters: grid outages after landfalling storms can last one to three weeks in heavily affected areas. Tornado, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 86th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Moore County independent of hurricane season. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Moore County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.
Regional Context
The North Carolina county average is 8.9 composite points below Moore County's score, a gap that reflects the county's elevated position in the state's hazard distribution.
Is your household prepared for Moore County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Moore County, NC?
What types of natural hazards affect Moore County?
How does Moore County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Is Moore County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Moore 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.