Robeson County Disaster Risk
Robeson County, North Carolina
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Moderate
National Percentile
91th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#10
of 100 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
86th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Moderate
Higher than 86% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Moderate
Higher than 88% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively High
Higher than 97% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Moderate
Higher than 91% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively High
Higher than 96% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Robeson County, North Carolina
Robeson County faces significantly above-average risk
Robeson County's composite risk score of 91.09 rates as Relatively Moderate and exceeds the national average substantially. This score reflects exceptional exposure across nearly all natural disaster categories.
North Carolina's highest-risk county profile
At 91.09, Robeson County ranks among the highest-risk counties in North Carolina, well above the state average of 66.72. Its southeastern location places it at the confluence of multiple hazard zones.
State's most vulnerable county region
Robeson County (91.09) edges Pitt County (89.82) as the state's highest-risk area and dramatically exceeds western neighbors like Polk County (36.93) and Person County (41.54). It stands alone in exposure severity across this group.
All major hazards pose serious threats
Tornado risk (96.98), hurricane risk (96.45), wildfire risk (87.79), and earthquake risk (90.81) all exceed 87—making Robeson County vulnerable across the entire hazard spectrum. Flooding (86.39) adds a fifth significant concern.
Comprehensive disaster insurance is critical
Robeson County residents must secure homeowners insurance with premium wind and tornado coverage immediately. Flood insurance is mandatory for any property in or near low-lying areas; consider an umbrella policy given the county's exceptional multi-hazard exposure.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Robeson County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Robeson County
Risk Verdict
Natural hazard risk in Robeson County is higher than the majority of U.S. counties, with a national composite rank of 91th. Robeson County's elevated composite score reflects cumulative multi-hazard exposure; households should prepare for the county's two or three primary hazard types.
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado risk is Robeson County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 97th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 96th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (91th percentile), wildfire (88th percentile), flood (86th percentile).
Preparedness Context
Ranked at the 97th percentile nationally for tornado risk, Robeson County is in a zone where storm shelters have the highest per-dollar protective value of any mitigation investment. Robeson County's county shelter map is typically available through the local emergency management office. The secondary hurricane hazard at the 96th percentile nationally adds seasonal complexity to Robeson County's preparedness calendar, since hurricane and tornado risk often peak at different points in the year. Robeson County residents can check the county's emergency management website for community shelter locations nearest their address — a step worth completing now, not during a warning.
Regional Context
A composite score 24.4 points above the North Carolina state average puts Robeson County in a higher-risk category than most counties in the state.
Is your household prepared for Robeson County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Robeson County, NC?
What types of natural hazards affect Robeson County?
How does Robeson County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Is Robeson County at risk for tornado?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Robeson County higher risk than average?
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.