riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Wilkes County Disaster Risk

Wilkes County, North Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Moderate

National Percentile

83th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#31

of 100 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

90th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Moderate

Higher than 90% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 73% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 74% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 75% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Wilkes County

Risk Verdict

Wilkes County has a relatively moderate overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 83th 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

Flood risk is the dominant hazard for Wilkes County, scoring in the 90th percentile nationally. It is followed by hurricane risk at the 75th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (74th), tornado (73th), wildfire (53th).

Preparedness Context

With flood risk as the top concern, Wilkes County residents should review flood insurance needs (standard home insurance does not cover flood damage), know your evacuation zone, and keep important documents waterproofed. Secondary risks such as hurricane 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

Wilkes County is significantly riskier than the average county in North Carolina. Its composite risk score is 15.9 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 Wilkes County, NC?
Wilkes County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Moderate, placing it in the 83th 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 Wilkes County?
Wilkes County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: flooding (90th percentile), hurricane (75th percentile), earthquake (74th percentile), tornado (73th percentile), wildfire (53th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is flooding at the 90th 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 Wilkes County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Wilkes County's composite risk percentile is 83th, compared to the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Wilkes County faces higher natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Carolina.
Is Wilkes County at risk for flooding?
Yes, Wilkes County's flooding risk is at the 90th percentile nationally. This places it in the top quartile for this hazard type.
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 Wilkes County higher risk than average?
Wilkes County's composite risk score of 83th percentile is above the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. This elevated risk is driven by flooding exposure (90th percentile), along with hurricane and earthquake and tornado and wildfire 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

Rowan County

North Carolina

+0.3

Relatively Moderate

83th percentile

Henderson County

North Carolina

+1.1

Relatively Moderate

84th percentile

Iredell County

North Carolina

-1.8

Relatively Low

81th 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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