riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Union County Disaster Risk

Union County, North Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

89th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#19

of 100 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

92th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 92% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 42% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively High

Higher than 95% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Moderate

Higher than 85% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Moderate

Higher than 81% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Union County

Risk Verdict

Union County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 89th percentile nationally. While not in the highest tier, this county faces meaningful hazard exposure. Residents are encouraged to understand their specific risks and maintain emergency supplies.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Union County, scoring in the 95th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 92th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (85th), hurricane (81th), wildfire (42th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Union County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as flood 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

Union County is significantly riskier than the average county in North Carolina. Its composite risk score is 22.3 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 Union County, NC?
Union County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 89th 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 Union County?
Union County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (95th percentile), flooding (92th percentile), earthquake (85th percentile), hurricane (81th percentile), wildfire (42th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 95th 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 Union County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Union County's composite risk percentile is 89th, compared to the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Union County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Carolina.
Is Union County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Union County's tornado risk is at the 95th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type. For flooding specifically, Union County is at the 92th 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.
Why is Union County higher risk than average?
Union County's composite risk score of 89th percentile is above the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by tornado exposure (95th percentile), along with flooding and earthquake and hurricane 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

Buncombe County

North Carolina

+0.3

Relatively Moderate

89th percentile

Duplin County

North Carolina

+0.3

Relatively Moderate

89th percentile

Cumberland County

North Carolina

+0.4

Relatively Moderate

89th 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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