Natural Disasters in Cullowhee, NC
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
80.5
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
71.3
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
89.2
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
38.9
Score (0-100)
Scores range from 0 (lowest risk) to 100 (highest risk) relative to all U.S. communities. Data from FEMA National Risk Index.
Disaster History & Federal Spending
Source: FEMATotal Declarations
18
Public Assistance
$2.3M
Individual Assistance
$2.3M
Most Common Type
Hurricane
8 declarations
| Disaster | Type | Date | PA $ | IA $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Severe Winter Storm → | Winter Storm | Jan 2026 | — | — |
| Tropical Storm Helene → | Tropical Storm | Sep 2024 | $1.3M | $1.6M |
| Hurricane Ian → | Hurricane | Oct 2022 | — | — |
| Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred → | Hurricane | Sep 2021 | — | — |
| Hurricane Isaias → | Hurricane | Aug 2020 | — | — |
| Covid-19 Pandemic → | Biological | Mar 2020 | $435K | $345K |
| Covid-19 → | Biological | Mar 2020 | — | — |
| Hurricane Dorian → | Hurricane | Sep 2019 | — | — |
| Hurricane Florence → | Hurricane | Sep 2018 | — | — |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides → | Flood | Sep 2013 | $4K | — |
| Severe Winter Storms and Flooding → | Severe Storm | Feb 2010 | $256K | — |
| Hurricane Katrina Evacuation → | Hurricane | Sep 2005 | — | — |
| Hurricane Ivan → | Hurricane | Sep 2004 | $284K | $326K |
| Tropical Storm Frances → | Hurricane | Sep 2004 | $29K | $25K |
| Blizzard of 96 → | Snowstorm | Jan 1996 | — | — |
| Severe Storms, Flooding, High Winds → | Flood | Oct 1995 | — | — |
| Severe Snowfall & Winter Storm → | Snowstorm | Mar 1993 | — | — |
| Severe Storms & Flooding → | Flood | Jun 1973 | — | — |
PA = FEMA Public Assistance (infrastructure recovery). IA = Individual Assistance (homeowner/renter aid).
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
97
Total Claims Paid
$1,105,116
Avg Claim Payout
$11,393
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
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.
Cullowhee has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are landslide, cold wave, lightning. The area has had 18 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (8 declarations). 97 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $2,303,585 in public assistance recovery funding. $2,281,547 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 2 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.