Natural Disasters in Banner Elk, NC

Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

47.5

Relatively Low

Expected Annual Loss

40.0

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

76.7

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

50.3

Score (0-100)

Top Hazard Risks

Landslide96.9Lightning72.6Ice Storm72.3
HazardRisk Score
Landslide96.9
Lightning72.6
Ice Storm72.3
Cold Wave62.2
Hurricane61.5
Earthquake51.5
Strong Wind39.5
Tornado38.6
Wildfire34.3
Winter Weather31.6
Hail27.6

Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.

Disaster Declarations

Source: FEMA OpenFEMA

Total Declarations

20

Most Recent

Winter Storm

Jan 2026

Most Common Type

Hurricane

8 declarations

DateTypeDeclaration
Jan 24, 2026Winter StormSEVERE WINTER STORM
Sep 28, 2024Tropical StormTROPICAL STORM HELENE
Sep 8, 2021HurricaneREMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM FRED
Aug 2, 2020HurricaneHURRICANE ISAIAS
Mar 25, 2020BiologicalCOVID-19 PANDEMIC
Mar 13, 2020BiologicalCOVID-19
Sep 3, 2019HurricaneHURRICANE DORIAN
Sep 10, 2018HurricaneHURRICANE FLORENCE
Oct 29, 2013FloodSEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, MUDSLIDES
Sep 25, 2013FloodSEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Feb 2, 2010Severe StormSEVERE WINTER STORMS AND FLOODING
Sep 5, 2005HurricaneHURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Sep 18, 2004HurricaneHURRICANE IVAN
Sep 10, 2004HurricaneTROPICAL STORM FRANCES
Jan 15, 1998Severe StormSEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Jan 13, 1996SnowstormBLIZZARD OF 96
Oct 23, 1995FloodSEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, HIGH WINDS
Mar 17, 1993SnowstormSEVERE SNOWFALL & WINTER STORM
Sep 25, 1989HurricaneHURRICANE HUGO
Nov 9, 1977FloodSEVERE STORMS & FLOODING

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

288

Total Claims Paid

$15,110,074

Avg Claim Payout

$52,466

County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

Disaster Recovery Spending

Source: FEMA Public Assistance

Total Federal Spending

$25,828,136

Disasters with PA

6

Total Projects

252

DisasterTypeProjectsFederal $
DR-4827Tropical Storm112$24,056,533
DR-1553Hurricane84$842,577
DR-4487Biological19$678,213
DR-1546Hurricane26$204,836
DR-1871Severe Storm(s)9$24,603
DR-4146Flood2$21,374

Banner Elk has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are landslide, lightning, ice storm. The area has had 20 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (8 declarations). 288 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $25,828,136 in public assistance recovery funding.