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FEMA NRI 1.19.0Updated Nov 2023 · Coverage 2014–2023Methodology

Transylvania County Disaster Risk

Transylvania County, North Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

64th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#63

of 100 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

67th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 67% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 44% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 62% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 60% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Transylvania County, North Carolina

Transylvania County carries moderate disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 64.25, Transylvania County sits near the state average of 66.72 in the relatively low risk category. The county faces balanced exposure across multiple hazards, with no single threat dominating the overall profile.

Risk mirrors North Carolina state average profile

Transylvania's 64.25 composite score sits just below the state average of 66.72, positioning it near the middle of North Carolina's risk distribution. The county's mountain location provides some protection against tornadoes (52.61) while maintaining vulnerability to floods (67.11) and hurricanes (59.95).

Transylvania sits between safe and risky neighbors

Transylvania's 64.25 score places it between safer Swain (49.11) and riskier counties like Rutherford (72.68) and Surry (73.57). The county is slightly riskier than Stokes (39.73) but offers meaningfully better risk profile than Sampson (90.20).

Floods and earthquakes pose top threats to Transylvania

Flood risk (67.11) and earthquake risk (61.64) are Transylvania's two highest hazards, each scoring in the sixties. Hurricane risk (59.95) and tornado risk (52.61) remain moderate, while wildfire (43.96) risk is relatively low, reflecting the county's mountain forests and moisture levels.

Flood insurance recommended for Transylvania residents

Transylvania residents should secure flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, particularly those near mountain streams and in flood-prone valleys. With composite risk at 64.25 and flood risk at 67.11, targeted flood coverage is the single most important protection for this mountain community.

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · Narrative reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Transylvania County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    FloodPrepare
    67th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    62th percentile
  3. #3
    HurricanePrepare
    60th percentile

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 · Percentiles are national (3,144 counties)

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Transylvania County

Risk Verdict

At the 64th percentile nationally, Transylvania County experiences a manageable level of natural hazard risk that falls below the U.S. median. Transylvania County's risk profile calls for targeted preparedness, focusing on the hazard categories that dominate the county's score.

Hazard Breakdown

Flood risk is Transylvania County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 67th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 62th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include hurricane (60th percentile), tornado (53th percentile), wildfire (44th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Transylvania County's dominant hazard is flooding, ranked at the 67th percentile nationally. In addition to flood insurance, residents should identify their nearest evacuation shelter and store key documents in waterproof containers. Secondary earthquake exposure at the 62th percentile adds a second preparedness layer; households should review coverage options and alert sign-up for both hazard types. Transylvania County's county emergency management office publishes hazard-specific guidance tailored to local conditions; bookmarking that resource and the county's alert system is a practical first step for any household.

Regional Context

At 2.5 points from the North Carolina county mean, Transylvania County's overall disaster risk profile is close to typical for this state, with no dramatic deviation in either direction.

Is your household prepared for Transylvania County's hazards?

Review FEMA's county-specific preparedness checklists and emergency planning guides.

FEMA Ready Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Transylvania County, NC?
Transylvania County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 64th 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 Transylvania County?
Transylvania County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (67th percentile), earthquake (62th percentile), hurricane (60th percentile), tornado (53th percentile), wildfire (44th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 67th 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 Transylvania County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Transylvania County's composite risk percentile is 64th, compared to the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Transylvania County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Carolina.
Is Transylvania County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Transylvania County's flooding risk is at the 67th percentile nationally. This is above the national median.
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.
Is Transylvania County a safe place to live?
Transylvania County's composite risk score of 64th percentile is below the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is flooding at the 67th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Jones County

North Carolina

+0.3

Relatively Low

65th percentile

Scotland County

North Carolina

-0.6

Relatively Low

64th percentile

Martin County

North Carolina

+1.2

Relatively Low

65th percentile

By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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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