Stanly County Disaster Risk
Stanly County, North Carolina
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
59th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#70
of 100 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
70th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 70% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 25% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 65% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 64% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 78% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Stanly County, North Carolina
Stanly County offers below-average disaster risk
With a composite risk score of 58.84, Stanly County ranks in the relatively low category, sitting notably below both the state average of 66.72 and most national peers. The county's chief vulnerability is flooding (69.91) rather than wind or seismic hazards.
Among North Carolina's safer counties
Stanly's 58.84 composite score positions it in the lower half of risk exposure statewide, well below the state average of 66.72. The county's unusually low wildfire risk (24.65) is a major contributor to its relatively safe profile.
Stanly is the safest county in this regional cluster
Stanly's 58.84 score is lower than all measured neighbors—Rutherford (72.68), Surry (73.57), and Transylvania (64.25)—making it the region's safest community. This advantage is largely driven by minimal wildfire exposure and below-average tornado risk.
Flooding poses Stanly's primary natural disaster threat
Flood risk (69.91) and hurricane risk (77.60) dominate Stanly's hazard profile, while wildfire (24.65) and tornado (65.11) risks remain well below state levels. The flood risk reflects the county's proximity to rivers and streams that can swell during heavy rainfall events.
Flood insurance is the priority for Stanly residents
Stanly County residents should prioritize flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, especially those in mapped flood zones or near rivers and creeks. With flood risk at 69.91 and overall composite risk at 58.84, targeted flood coverage is the most cost-effective protection for this county.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Stanly County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Stanly County
Risk Verdict
Stanly County's FEMA risk score places it at the 59th 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 Stanly County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 78th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 70th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include tornado (65th percentile), earthquake (64th percentile), wildfire (25th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With hurricane ranked at the 78th percentile nationally, Stanly 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. Flood, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 70th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Stanly County independent of hurricane season. Insurance gaps are the most common post-hurricane financial shock: standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage and may have a separate wind deductible. Stanly County households benefit from a pre-season insurance review confirming both wind and flood coverage.
Regional Context
At 7.9 points below the North Carolina state average, Stanly County is among the lower-risk counties in the state for natural disaster exposure.
Is your household prepared for Stanly County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Stanly County, NC?
What types of natural hazards affect Stanly County?
How does Stanly County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Is Stanly County at risk for hurricane?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Is Stanly 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.