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

Randolph County Disaster Risk

Randolph County, North Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

81th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#33

of 100 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

85th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 40% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 87% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 78% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 84% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Randolph County, North Carolina

Randolph County exceeds U.S. average risk

Randolph County's composite risk score of 80.63 rates as Relatively Low but still exceeds the national average. This reflects meaningful exposure to multiple hazards across the Piedmont region.

Above North Carolina's typical risk level

At 80.63, Randolph County ranks well above the state average of 66.72, placing it in the middle-to-upper tier of North Carolina counties. Its Piedmont location contributes to above-average tornado and flood risks.

Moderate risk mirrors central Piedmont counties

Randolph County (80.63) faces notably higher composite risk than western neighbors like Person County (41.54) and Polk County (36.93), but less than Rowan County (82.92). It sits in the moderate-risk band typical of central North Carolina.

Tornadoes and flooding lead local hazards

Tornado risk (87.40) and flood risk (84.83) are Randolph County's dominant concerns, reflecting the county's Piedmont valley topography. Hurricane risk (84.31) adds a secondary layer of concern from distant coastal storms.

Homeowners insurance with flood rider essential

Randolph County residents should secure comprehensive homeowners coverage with explicit tornado and wind protection. Flood insurance is highly recommended, especially for properties in low-lying areas; consult your agent about NFIP or private flood policies.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Randolph County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    TornadoPrepare
    87th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    85th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    84th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Randolph County

Risk Verdict

Randolph County ranks at the 81th percentile nationally for natural disaster risk — below the median for U.S. counties. Comprehensive household preparedness — including reviewing insurance, maintaining emergency supplies, and knowing evacuation routes — is strongly recommended.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is Randolph County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 87th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 85th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (84th percentile), earthquake (78th percentile), wildfire (40th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Randolph County ranks at the 87th percentile nationally for tornado exposure. Unlike many slow-onset hazards, tornadoes in Randolph County can reach full intensity in minutes; a pre-practiced household shelter plan matters far more than stockpiled supplies. Flood is the second hazard driver for Randolph County at the 85th percentile nationally, meaning households should maintain awareness of both severe-weather and flood-specific warning systems. Randolph County county emergency management typically publishes annual severe-weather preparedness guides tailored to local tornado patterns; households benefit from reviewing these before storm season begins each spring.

Regional Context

Compared to other North Carolina counties, Randolph County runs 13.9 composite risk points higher than the state mean — reflecting above-average hazard concentration in this area.

Is your household prepared for Randolph 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 Randolph County, NC?
Randolph County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 81th 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 Randolph County?
Randolph County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (87th percentile), flooding (85th percentile), hurricane (84th percentile), earthquake (78th percentile), wildfire (40th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 87th 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 Randolph County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Randolph County's composite risk percentile is 81th, compared to the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Randolph County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Carolina.
Is Randolph County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Randolph County's tornado risk is at the 87th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Randolph County is at the 85th 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.
Why is Randolph County higher risk than average?
Randolph County's composite risk score of 81th percentile is above the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (87th percentile), along with flooding and hurricane and earthquake risk. Geographic location, terrain, climate patterns, and proximity to flood zones or fault lines all influence a county's risk profile.

Counties with Similar Risk

Nash County

North Carolina

-0.0

Relatively Low

81th percentile

Catawba County

North Carolina

-0.1

Relatively Low

81th percentile

Iredell County

North Carolina

+0.2

Relatively Low

81th 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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