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

Pasquotank County Disaster Risk

Pasquotank County, North Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

59th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#71

of 100 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

63th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 91% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Pasquotank County, North Carolina

Pasquotank's risk is below the national norm

Pasquotank County's composite risk score of 58.68 and 'Relatively Low' rating place it below the national average for natural disaster exposure. Inland position in northeastern North Carolina limits hazard variety.

Below-average risk for North Carolina

At 58.68, Pasquotank falls notably below the state average of 66.72, ranking among the safer North Carolina counties overall. Geographic distance from mountains and moderate distance from the coast reduce exposure to extreme events.

Safer than Northampton, similar to Perquimans

Pasquotank (58.68) ranks safer than Northampton County (44.21) nearby and is comparable to Perquimans County (37.66) in overall risk. These three northeastern counties form a lower-hazard region compared to the coastal tier.

Hurricane remnants and flooding present risks

Pasquotank's hurricane risk of 91.32 is the dominant hazard, as inland areas still experience damaging winds and heavy rain from Atlantic storms. Flood risk of 63.40 reflects localized creek and stream overflow during heavy precipitation events.

Maintain basic storm preparedness and coverage

Pasquotank residents should verify that homeowners insurance includes wind and hail coverage to protect against tropical storm remnants and spring thunderstorms. Keep trees trimmed, secure outdoor items before storms, and maintain a basic emergency kit.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Pasquotank County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    91th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    63th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    44th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Pasquotank County

Risk Verdict

Pasquotank County's FEMA risk score places it at the 59th percentile nationally, indicating lower-than-typical exposure for a U.S. county. A moderate composite score often means one or two hazard categories are doing the heavy lifting — knowing which ones matters for preparation.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Pasquotank County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 91th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 63th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (44th percentile), tornado (44th percentile), earthquake (42th percentile).

Preparedness Context

With hurricane ranked at the 91th percentile nationally, Pasquotank 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. Flood at the 63th percentile nationally is Pasquotank County's secondary hazard, often intensified by the same weather systems that produce hurricane conditions. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Pasquotank County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.

Regional Context

At 8.0 points below the North Carolina state average, Pasquotank County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.

Is your household prepared for Pasquotank 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 Pasquotank County, NC?
Pasquotank County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 59th 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 Pasquotank County?
Pasquotank County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (91th percentile), flooding (63th percentile), wildfire (44th percentile), tornado (44th percentile), earthquake (42th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 91th 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 Pasquotank County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Pasquotank County's composite risk percentile is 59th, compared to the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Pasquotank County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Carolina.
Is Pasquotank County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Pasquotank County's hurricane risk is at the 91th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Pasquotank County is at the 63th 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 Pasquotank County a safe place to live?
Pasquotank County's composite risk score of 59th 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 91th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.