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FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Northampton County Disaster Risk

Northampton County, North Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

44th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#83

of 100 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

45th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 45% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 25% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 49% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Northampton County, North Carolina

Northampton's risk is below the nation's

Northampton County's composite risk score of 44.21 and 'Relatively Low' rating place it well below the national average for natural disaster exposure. This positioning reflects the county's inland location, away from the most severe Atlantic hurricane and coastal flood zones.

Safer than most North Carolina counties

At 44.21, Northampton County scores substantially below North Carolina's state average of 66.72, ranking among the lower-risk counties in the state. Geographic distance from the coast and mountains limits exposure to hurricanes, high-wind tornadoes, and major flooding events.

Safer than Pasquotank and Perquimans

Northampton (44.21) is safer than neighboring Pasquotank County (58.68) but comparable to Perquimans County (37.66), the region's lowest-risk jurisdiction. These inland northeastern counties collectively face fewer compound hazards than their coastal counterparts.

Hurricanes and tornadoes remain concerns

Although inland, Northampton still faces hurricane risk of 84.61, the remnants of Atlantic storms reaching inland areas with flooding and damaging winds. Tornado risk of 54.74 reflects typical springtime severe weather patterns common across eastern North Carolina.

Maintain baseline hurricane and storm readiness

While overall risk is lower, Northampton residents should maintain homeowners insurance that covers wind and hail from thunderstorms and tropical system remnants. A basic emergency preparedness kit, secure roof attachments, and trimmed trees near structures provide practical protection against spring and summer storms.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Northampton County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    85th percentile
  2. #2
    TornadoPrepare
    55th percentile
  3. #3
    EarthquakePrepare
    49th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Northampton County

Risk Verdict

Natural hazard pressure in Northampton County is below the national midpoint, with a composite score at the 44th percentile. The 44th percentile national ranking is one lens; Northampton County residents also benefit from reviewing which specific hazard types drive the county's composite score and preparing accordingly.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Northampton County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 85th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 55th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (49th percentile), flood (45th percentile), wildfire (25th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane exposure at the 85th percentile nationally makes Northampton County a county where pre-season preparedness — not storm-day preparation — determines outcomes. Northampton County evacuation decisions under a watch or warning benefit from prior planning, not routes improvised under time pressure. Tornado, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 55th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Northampton County independent of hurricane season. Northampton 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

Northampton County's composite risk score sits 22.5 points below the North Carolina county average, reflecting a more favorable hazard environment than the state typical.

Is your household prepared for Northampton County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Northampton County, NC?
Northampton County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 44th 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 Northampton County?
Northampton County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (85th percentile), tornado (55th percentile), earthquake (49th percentile), flooding (45th percentile), wildfire (25th 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 Northampton County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Northampton County's composite risk percentile is 44th, compared to the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Northampton County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Carolina.
Is Northampton County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Northampton County's hurricane risk is at the 85th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Northampton County is at the 45th 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.
Is Northampton County a safe place to live?
Northampton County's composite risk score of 44th percentile is below the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is hurricane at the 85th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Alexander County

North Carolina

+1.6

Relatively Low

46th percentile

Tyrrell County

North Carolina

+1.8

Relatively Low

46th percentile

Yancey County

North Carolina

-2.0

Very Low

42th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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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