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

Perquimans County Disaster Risk

Perquimans County, North Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

38th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#89

of 100 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

52th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 52% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 29% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 35% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 22% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Perquimans County, North Carolina

Perquimans ranks among the nation's safest

Perquimans County's composite risk score of 37.66 and 'Very Low' rating rank it well below the national average for natural disaster hazard. Inland location in northeastern North Carolina provides substantial protection from multiple threat types.

North Carolina's lowest-risk county profiled

At 37.66, Perquimans County is the safest of this regional group, scoring 29 points below the state average of 66.72. Distance from mountains, coast, and major flood corridors creates a favorable natural hazard profile.

Safest in the northeastern cluster

Perquimans (37.66) is the lowest-risk county among its northeastern peers: Pasquotank (58.68) and Northampton (44.21). Its combination of very low wildfire, tornado, and earthquake risks distinguishes it as the region's safest community.

Hurricanes and flooding are the main hazards

Even in Perquimans, hurricane risk of 89.65 reflects exposure to Atlantic storms and tropical system remnants that reach inland areas. Flood risk of 52.20 reflects local creeks and streams that can overflow during heavy precipitation.

Standard precautions provide solid protection

Perquimans residents should maintain homeowners insurance with wind and hail coverage for tropical storms and spring thunderstorms. Keep trees trimmed, secure roof attachments, and store important documents safely—the county's low overall risk means comprehensive disaster insurance may not require specialized add-ons for most properties.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Perquimans County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    90th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    52th percentile
  3. #3
    TornadoPrepare
    35th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Perquimans County

Risk Verdict

Perquimans County sits in the lower tier of U.S. counties for natural disaster exposure, ranked at the 38th percentile nationally. Residents of Perquimans County can use the 38th percentile ranking as a baseline, while recognizing that individual properties may still lie in specific hazard zones that differ from the county average.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Perquimans County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 90th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 52th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (35th percentile), wildfire (29th percentile), earthquake (22th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 90th percentile nationally for hurricane exposure, Perquimans County households benefit from reviewing both homeowners and flood insurance coverage before storm season begins — standard policies often exclude storm surge, which is the leading cause of hurricane fatalities. Flood, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 52th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Perquimans County independent of hurricane season. Hurricane-force winds cause direct property damage, but storm surge causes the majority of hurricane-related deaths. Perquimans County households near tidal water or low-elevation areas should verify whether they are in a storm surge risk zone.

Regional Context

Perquimans County falls 29.1 points below North Carolina's typical county risk level, making it one of the safer natural-hazard environments in the state.

Is your household prepared for Perquimans 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 Perquimans County, NC?
Perquimans County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 38th 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 Perquimans County?
Perquimans County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (90th percentile), flooding (52th percentile), tornado (35th percentile), wildfire (29th percentile), earthquake (22th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 90th 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 Perquimans County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Perquimans County's composite risk percentile is 38th, compared to the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Perquimans County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Carolina.
Is Perquimans County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Perquimans County's hurricane risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Perquimans County is at the 52th 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 Perquimans County a safe place to live?
Perquimans County's composite risk score of 38th 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 90th 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.