Natural Disaster Risk in Onslow County

Natural Hazard Profile: Onslow County, North Carolina

Onslow County is located in the United States in North Carolina, home to roughly 202,949 residents. The county experiences hot, humid summers and four distinct seasons, with a hurricane and tropical storm season affecting the coast shaping the natural hazards faced by its communities. FEMA assesses risk at this county level, providing the baseline for every city and ZIP code within its boundaries.

FEMA rates Onslow County's composite natural disaster risk at 7.3 out of 10 — high risk. Tropical cyclones are the dominant hazard, with the area facing threats from both direct landfalling hurricanes and the outer rain bands and storm surge of systems making landfall nearby. Residents should also account for winter and coastal flood risk in their preparedness planning.

Onslow County's risk score, slightly above 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 Onslow County, the highest-scoring are hurricane, winter, and coastal flood. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.

Onslow County's high risk designation reflects meaningful exposure to natural hazards. Residents should verify that their insurance covers the area's primary risks, prepare a family emergency plan, and stay informed about seasonal hazard peaks through local weather and emergency management services.