Natural Disaster Risk in Lawndale

Natural Hazard Profile: Lawndale, North Carolina

Lawndale is a town of roughly 7,268 residents in Cleveland County, in the interior eastern United States. The area experiences hot, humid summers and four distinct seasons, with a hurricane and tropical storm season affecting the coast shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Lawndale.

According to FEMA's National Risk Index, Lawndale carries an overall risk score of 6.6/10, placing it in the high category. The area faces significant ice storm exposure, where the thermal profile of the atmosphere during winter storms frequently delivers freezing rain rather than snow. The area also faces notable exposure to earthquake and lightning.

Lawndale's risk score, near the 6.2/10 state average and well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Cleveland County, the highest-scoring are ice storm, earthquake, and lightning. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Lawndale residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for ice storm and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.