Richmond County Disaster Risk
Richmond County, North Carolina
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
61th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#66
of 100 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
58th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 58% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 80% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Moderate
Higher than 81% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 72% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Moderate
Higher than 86% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Richmond County, North Carolina
Richmond County faces moderate U.S. risk level
Richmond County's composite risk score of 60.75 rates as Relatively Low but sits near the U.S. average. This score reflects a balanced exposure across multiple hazard types typical of south-central North Carolina.
Slightly below North Carolina's typical risk
At 60.75, Richmond County ranks just below the state average of 66.72, placing it in the safer half of North Carolina counties. Its location in the Sandhills region contributes to this moderate profile.
Lower risk than Robeson, higher than Polk
Richmond County (60.75) faces significantly lower composite risk than its southeastern neighbor Robeson County (91.09), while exceeding western counties like Polk (36.93). It occupies the middle ground of the Sandhills region.
Wildfire and tornado risks dominate
Wildfire risk (79.90) is unusually high for inland North Carolina and represents Richmond County's primary concern, followed by tornado risk (81.23). Hurricane risk (85.98) adds a distant but meaningful coastal threat.
Wildfire and wind coverage recommended
Richmond County residents should prioritize homeowners insurance with comprehensive wind and tornado coverage. If your property borders forests or rural areas, inquire about wildfire riders; flood insurance is also wise for properties in drainage areas.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Richmond County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Richmond County
Risk Verdict
Richmond County's FEMA risk score places it at the 61th 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 Richmond County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 86th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Tornado ranks second at the 81th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (80th percentile), earthquake (72th percentile), flood (58th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With hurricane ranked at the 86th percentile nationally, Richmond 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. Richmond County's tornado exposure at the 81th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Richmond County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.
Regional Context
At 6.0 points below the North Carolina state average, Richmond County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.
Is your household prepared for Richmond County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Richmond County, NC?
What types of natural hazards affect Richmond County?
How does Richmond County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Is Richmond County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Richmond County a safe place to live?
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.