riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Rowan County Disaster Risk

Rowan County, North Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

83th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#30

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

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Moderate

Higher than 86% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 83% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 72% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Rowan County

Risk Verdict

Rowan County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 83th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Rowan County, scoring in the 86th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 85th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (83th), hurricane (72th), wildfire (48th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Rowan County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Rowan County is significantly riskier than the average county in North Carolina. Its composite risk score is 16.2 points higher than the state average, meaning residents face above-average exposure to natural hazards compared to their neighbors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Rowan County, NC?
Rowan County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 83th 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 Rowan County?
Rowan County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (86th percentile), flooding (85th percentile), earthquake (83th percentile), hurricane (72th percentile), wildfire (48th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 86th 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 Rowan County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Rowan County's composite risk percentile is 83th, compared to the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Rowan County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Carolina.
Is Rowan County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Rowan County's tornado risk is at the 86th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Rowan 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 Rowan County higher risk than average?
Rowan County's composite risk score of 83th percentile is above the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (86th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake and hurricane 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

Wilkes County

North Carolina

-0.3

Relatively Moderate

83th percentile

Henderson County

North Carolina

+0.9

Relatively Moderate

84th percentile

Bladen County

North Carolina

+1.7

Relatively Moderate

85th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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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