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

Yadkin County Disaster Risk

Yadkin County, North Carolina

FEMA Risk Rating

Very Low

National Percentile

38th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#88

of 100 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

53th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 53% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 18% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 48% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 55% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 68% of US counties

Risk Overview

About Natural Disaster Risk in Yadkin County, North Carolina

Yadkin County enjoys low disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 38.36, Yadkin County ranks as very low and substantially below North Carolina's state average of 66.72. The county's risk profile is one of the most favorable in the state, though residents still face manageable exposure across multiple hazard types.

Among North Carolina's safest counties

Yadkin County's 38.36 composite score places it in the bottom quartile of risk across all 100 North Carolina counties. This very low rating means residents face significantly below-average disaster exposure compared to the vast majority of North Carolinians.

Yadkin leads the safer counties in its region

Yadkin County's 38.36 score makes it the lowest-risk county in its cluster, alongside similarly safe Yancey County (42.24). Both stand dramatically below the higher-exposure Wilkes County (82.63) and Wilson County (76.27), marking this area's safest communities.

Hurricane and flood risks remain manageable

Yadkin County's highest risk comes from hurricanes (68.21) and flooding (53.18), but both remain well below state averages. Wildfire risk is exceptionally low at 17.53, and tornado and earthquake exposures are moderate, creating a balanced and manageable overall hazard profile.

Standard coverage works well for Yadkin

While Yadkin County's low risk profile means basic homeowners insurance provides solid protection, a flood policy still makes sense as affordable risk management. Review your coverage annually to ensure it matches your home's current value, and consider it an inexpensive safeguard despite your county's favorable position.

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

Preparedness Guide

What to Prepare for in Yadkin County

Top Hazards by Exposure

  1. #1
    HurricanePrepare
    68th percentile
  2. #2
    EarthquakePrepare
    55th percentile
  3. #3
    FloodPrepare
    53th percentile

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

Local Resources

Risk Advisory: Yadkin County

Risk Verdict

Natural disaster exposure in Yadkin County is lower than roughly three-quarters of U.S. counties, with a composite score at the 38th percentile. At the 38th percentile, Yadkin 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 Yadkin County's dominant natural hazard, ranked at the 68th percentile nationally under FEMA's National Risk Index. Earthquake ranks second at the 55th percentile nationally. Additional tracked hazards include flood (53th percentile), tornado (48th percentile), wildfire (18th percentile).

Preparedness Context

At the 68th percentile nationally for hurricane risk, Yadkin County is in a zone where flood insurance matters beyond the primary wind risk: NFIP flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period before taking effect, making off-season enrollment the correct timing. Earthquake, the county's second-ranked hazard at the 55th percentile nationally, represents an additional preparedness consideration for Yadkin County independent of hurricane season. For Yadkin County households, the hurricane preparedness calendar matters: flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period, wind-hardening retrofits take weeks to schedule, and evacuation route scouting is best done before a storm watch is issued.

Regional Context

Yadkin County is 28.4 composite risk points below the North Carolina state mean, meaning most other North Carolina counties face higher natural hazard exposure.

Is your household prepared for Yadkin 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 Yadkin County, NC?
Yadkin County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Very Low, placing it in the 38th 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 Yadkin County?
Yadkin County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: hurricane (68th percentile), earthquake (55th percentile), flooding (53th percentile), tornado (48th percentile), wildfire (18th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is hurricane at the 68th 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 Yadkin County risk compare to the North Carolina average?
Yadkin County's composite risk percentile is 38th, compared to the North Carolina state average of 67th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Yadkin County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in North Carolina.
Is Yadkin County at risk for hurricane?
Yes, Yadkin County's hurricane risk is at the 68th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Yadkin County is at the 53th 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 Yadkin County a safe place to live?
Yadkin County's composite risk score of 38th 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 68th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Perquimans County

North Carolina

-0.7

Very Low

38th percentile

Stokes County

North Carolina

+1.4

Very Low

40th percentile

Polk County

North Carolina

-1.4

Very Low

37th 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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