Surry County Disaster Risk
Surry County, North Carolina
FEMA Risk Rating
Relatively Low
National Percentile
74th
of 3,144 counties
State Rank
#46
of 100 (1 = highest risk)
Flood Risk
77th
percentile
Hazard Risk Breakdown
Flood
River, coastal, and surface flooding risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 77% of US counties
Wildfire
Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk
Very Low
Higher than 28% of US counties
Tornado
Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 59% of US counties
Earthquake
Seismic activity and ground shaking risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 70% of US counties
Hurricane
Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk
Relatively Low
Higher than 72% of US counties
Risk Overview
About Natural Disaster Risk in Surry County, North Carolina
Surry County faces slightly elevated disaster risk
With a composite risk score of 73.57, Surry County sits in the relatively low category but above both the state average of 66.72 and many national peers. Flood risk (77.26) and earthquake risk (69.69) are the county's primary vulnerabilities.
Above-average risk among North Carolina counties
Surry's 73.57 composite score places it above the state average of 66.72, ranking it among the higher-risk counties in North Carolina. Notably, the county has extremely low wildfire risk (28.05), providing a significant offset to its flood and earthquake exposures.
Surry is riskier than Stokes, comparable to Rutherford
Surry's 73.57 score is substantially higher than neighboring Stokes (39.73) but similar to Rutherford (72.68) just to the south. Compared to Transylvania (64.25), Surry shoulders meaningfully greater disaster exposure across most hazard categories.
Floods and earthquakes dominate Surry's risk profile
Flood risk (77.26) and earthquake risk (69.69) represent Surry's two highest hazards, each scoring in the seventies. Hurricane risk (71.51) rounds out the top three, while wildfire (28.05) remains among the state's lowest, a notable geographic advantage.
Flood and earthquake insurance recommended for Surry
Surry County residents should secure flood insurance and consider earthquake riders, as standard homeowners policies exclude both hazards and Surry's exposure is substantial. With flood and earthquake scores both exceeding 69, dual coverage offers cost-effective protection against the county's primary threats.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor
Preparedness Guide
What to Prepare for in Surry County
Top Hazards by Exposure
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)
Risk Advisory: Surry County
Risk Verdict
With a national percentile rank of 74th, Surry County faces below-average hazard exposure relative to U.S. counties as a whole. Above-average risk does not mean imminent danger; it signals that informed, hazard-specific preparedness has high value here.
Hazard Breakdown
Flood risk is Surry County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 77th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Hurricane ranks second at the 72th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include earthquake (70th percentile), tornado (59th percentile), wildfire (28th percentile).
Preparedness Context
With flood risk ranking at the 77th percentile nationally, Surry County residents face one of the most financially damaging hazards without specialized coverage. Flood insurance through the NFIP or a private carrier is worth evaluating regardless of current mortgage requirements. The county's second-ranked hazard, hurricane at the 72th percentile nationally, means Surry County residents face compounding risks from multiple natural hazard types during peak seasons. Registering for Surry County's county emergency alert system — typically through the county emergency management office's website — ensures households receive early warning when flood events develop faster than forecast.
Regional Context
At 6.8 points above the North Carolina state average, Surry County carries meaningfully higher natural disaster exposure than a typical North Carolina county.
Is your household prepared for Surry County's hazards?
Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the natural disaster risk in Surry County, NC?
What types of natural hazards affect Surry County?
How does Surry County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Is Surry County at risk for flooding?
How is natural disaster risk measured?
Why is Surry 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.