McDowell County, North Carolina

Natural Hazard Risk Assessment — Population: 44,525

59.2NRI
Relatively Low

Overall Risk Rating

👥

Population

44,525

🏠

Building Value

$8.7B

💰

Annual Hazard Loss

$16.8M

⚠️

Hazards Tracked

14

Natural Hazard Risk Profile

⛰️

Landslide

Relatively Moderate
Annual Loss$143K
Risk Score96.1
❄️

Ice Storm

Relatively High
Annual Loss$574K
Risk Score87.0
🌊

Riverine Flooding

Relatively Low
Annual Loss$11.6M
Risk Score72.5

Lightning

Relatively Moderate
Annual Loss$373K
Risk Score68.4
☀️

Drought

Relatively Moderate
Annual Loss$300K
Risk Score64.1
🏔️

Earthquake

Relatively Low
Annual Loss$408K
Risk Score61.8
🌀

Hurricane

Relatively Low
Annual Loss$183K
Risk Score60.9
🔥

Wildfire

Very Low
Annual Loss$64K
Risk Score59.4
Show all 14 hazards
🥶

Cold Wave

Relatively Low
Annual Loss$1.1M
Risk Score59.0
🌪️

Tornado

Relatively Low
Annual Loss$1.2M
Risk Score56.1
💨

Strong Wind

Relatively Moderate
Annual Loss$516K
Risk Score55.4
🧊

Hail

Relatively Low
Annual Loss$227K
Risk Score51.8

Winter Weather

Very Low
Annual Loss$17K
Risk Score22.8
🌡️

Heat Wave

Very Low
Annual Loss$57K
Risk Score21.8

McDowell County vs. National Average

🎯 Overall Risk

59.2+10.5 vs avg

National avg: 48.7

🔥 Wildfire Risk

59.4+10.7 vs avg

National avg: 48.7

👥 Social Vulnerability

66.3+17.1 vs avg

National avg: 49.2

🛡️ Community Resilience

29.9-18.8 vs avg

National avg: 48.7

Community Profile

Social Vulnerability

66.3

Relatively High

Higher scores indicate greater social vulnerability to natural hazards.

Community Resilience

29.9

Relatively Low

Higher scores indicate better ability to prepare for, adapt to, and recover from hazards.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Data from FEMA National Risk Index. For informational purposes only. Consult local authorities for property-specific risk.