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

Tyrrell County Disaster Risk

Tyrrell County, North Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

46th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#81

of 100 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

69th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 57% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 19% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 92% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Tyrrell County, North Carolina

Tyrrell faces below-average disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 46.02, Tyrrell County ranks as Relatively Low—significantly safer than the national average of around 65. This puts the county in a better position than most American counties when it comes to overall natural disaster exposure.

Among safest counties in North Carolina

Tyrrell's score of 46.02 places it well below North Carolina's state average of 66.72, making it one of the state's lower-risk counties. Most of Tyrrell's neighbors face substantially higher composite risk levels.

Safer than coastal and central peers

Tyrrell scores 46.02 compared to Washington County (59.64) and Watauga County (71.85) nearby. The county's low risk rating reflects its distance from major urban and tornado-prone corridors that affect surrounding regions.

Hurricane and flood risks dominate

Hurricane risk tops Tyrrell's hazard profile at 92.12, followed by flood risk at 68.80—reflecting the county's coastal location in eastern North Carolina. Tornado and earthquake risks remain comparatively low at 21.37 and 18.96 respectively.

Prioritize hurricane and flood coverage

Tyrrell residents should secure flood insurance immediately, as standard homeowners policies exclude water damage. Hurricane-resistant upgrades and a comprehensive evacuation plan are essential given the county's 92.12 hurricane risk score.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Tyrrell County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    92th percentile
  2. #2
    FloodPrepare
    69th percentile
  3. #3
    WildfirePrepare
    57th percentile

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

Risk Advisory: Tyrrell County

Risk Verdict

Tyrrell County has a below-average natural disaster risk profile, scoring at the 46th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. At the 46th percentile, Tyrrell County's risk profile is among the more manageable in the country — the hazard-specific breakdown above shows where any remaining preparedness focus is best directed.

Hazard Breakdown

Hurricane risk is Tyrrell County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 92th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Flood ranks second at the 69th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include wildfire (57th percentile), tornado (21th percentile), earthquake (19th percentile).

Preparedness Context

Hurricane risk is Tyrrell County's top-ranked natural hazard at the 92th percentile nationally. The most time-sensitive preparedness step is knowing the county's evacuation zone for your address — zone maps are published by the county emergency management office. Tyrrell County's flood exposure at the 69th percentile nationally adds a hazard layer that can persist or intensify after hurricane-force winds have passed, particularly in low-lying inland areas. Tyrrell County's county emergency management office publishes official evacuation zone maps with zone-specific shelter locations; downloading this map and identifying your zone assignment is the single highest-value pre-season step.

Regional Context

The North Carolina county average exceeds Tyrrell County's score by 20.7 composite points — placing this county in the lower-risk tier relative to its in-state peers.

Is your household prepared for Tyrrell 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 Tyrrell County, NC?
Tyrrell County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 46th 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 Tyrrell County?
Tyrrell County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (92th percentile), flooding (69th percentile), wildfire (57th percentile), tornado (21th percentile), earthquake (19th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 92th 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 Tyrrell County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Tyrrell County's composite risk percentile is 46th, compared to the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Tyrrell County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Carolina.
Is Tyrrell County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Tyrrell County's hurricane risk is at the 92th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Tyrrell County is at the 69th 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.
Is Tyrrell County a safe place to live?
Tyrrell County's composite risk score of 46th 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 hurricane at the 92th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.
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.