Natural Disasters in Cherokee, NC
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
49.1
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
34.2
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
93.8
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
25.0
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Landslide | 97.8 |
| Cold Wave | 76.1 |
| Ice Storm | 71.8 |
| Earthquake | 63.4 |
| Wildfire | 60.3 |
| Hurricane | 54.2 |
| Strong Wind | 49.8 |
| Lightning | 43.6 |
| Winter Weather | 36.8 |
| Tornado | 35.4 |
| Drought | 29.7 |
| Hail | 25.2 |
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 OpenFEMATotal Declarations
16
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Hurricane
6 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Apr 20, 2025 | Fire | SAM DAVIS ROAD FIRE |
| Mar 26, 2025 | Fire | ALARKA FIRE |
| Sep 28, 2024 | Tropical Storm | TROPICAL STORM HELENE |
| Oct 1, 2022 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IAN |
| Aug 2, 2020 | Hurricane | HURRICANE ISAIAS |
| May 8, 2020 | Severe Storm | SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, AND FLOODING |
| Mar 25, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 PANDEMIC |
| Mar 13, 2020 | Biological | COVID-19 |
| Sep 3, 2019 | Hurricane | HURRICANE DORIAN |
| Sep 10, 2018 | Hurricane | HURRICANE FLORENCE |
| Sep 5, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Sep 18, 2004 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IVAN |
| Jan 13, 1996 | Snowstorm | BLIZZARD OF 96 |
| Oct 23, 1995 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, HIGH WINDS |
| Mar 17, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE SNOWFALL & WINTER STORM |
Individual Assistance
Source: FEMA Housing AssistanceTotal IA Registrations
347
Total IA Distributed
$793,244
Repair/Replace
$355,167
Rental Assistance
$66,339
| Disaster | Registrations | Total IA $ | Avg Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4827 | 307 | $722,316 | $2,805 |
| DR-1553 | 29 | $54,843 | $5,330 |
| DR-1546 | 9 | $10,083 | $1,276 |
| DR-4487 | 2 | $6,003 | — |
Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
56
Total Claims Paid
$1,207,053
Avg Claim Payout
$21,555
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$1,607,749
Disasters with PA
5
Total Projects
38
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4146 | Flood | 6 | $1,284,224 |
| DR-4827 | Tropical Storm | 7 | $197,244 |
| DR-4543 | Severe Storm(s) | 4 | $88,389 |
| DR-1553 | Hurricane | 20 | $30,744 |
| DR-4487 | Biological | 1 | $7,147 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
2
Federal Funding
$164,250
Properties Protected
1
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
1.08
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 200.6: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Landslide | 1 | $164,250 |
| 602.1: Other Equipment Purchase and Installation | 1 | $0 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Cherokee has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are landslide, cold wave, ice storm. The area has had 16 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (6 declarations). 56 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $1,607,749 in public assistance recovery funding. $793,244 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 2 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.