riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Rutherford County Disaster Risk

Rutherford County, North Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

73th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#48

of 100 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

79th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 63% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 70% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 79% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Rutherford County

Risk Verdict

Rutherford County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 73th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is the dominant hazard for Rutherford County, scoring in the 79th percentile nationally. It is followed by earthquake risk at the 79th percentile. Additional hazards include tornado (70th), hurricane (67th), wildfire (63th).

Preparedness Context

With flood risk as the top concern, Rutherford County residents should review flood insurance needs (standard home insurance does not cover flood damage), know your evacuation zone, and keep important documents waterproofed. Secondary risks such as earthquake 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

Rutherford County is significantly riskier than the average county in North Carolina. Its composite risk score is 6 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 Rutherford County, NC?
Rutherford County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 73th 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 Rutherford County?
Rutherford County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (79th percentile), earthquake (79th percentile), tornado (70th percentile), hurricane (67th percentile), wildfire (63th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 79th 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 Rutherford County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Rutherford County's composite risk percentile is 73th, compared to the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Rutherford County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Carolina.
Is Rutherford County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Rutherford County's flooding risk is at the 79th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type.
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 Rutherford County higher risk than average?
Rutherford County's composite risk score of 73th percentile is above the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (79th percentile), along with earthquake and tornado and hurricane and wildfire 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

Halifax County

North Carolina

+0.2

Relatively Low

73th percentile

Pamlico County

North Carolina

-0.3

Relatively Low

72th percentile

Rockingham County

North Carolina

-0.8

Relatively Low

72th 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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