Natural Disasters in Highlands, NC
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
73.8
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
66.8
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
73.7
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
21.9
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Landslide | 99.8 |
| Cold Wave | 93.4 |
| Lightning | 75.2 |
| Ice Storm | 73.3 |
| Earthquake | 69.6 |
| Hurricane | 66.3 |
| Tornado | 60.9 |
| Wildfire | 58.5 |
| Strong Wind | 50.9 |
| Hail | 47.1 |
| Winter Weather | 34.1 |
| Drought | 32.9 |
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
7 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Sep 28, 2024 | Tropical Storm | TROPICAL STORM HELENE |
| Oct 1, 2022 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IAN |
| Aug 2, 2020 | Hurricane | HURRICANE ISAIAS |
| 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 25, 2013 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES |
| Sep 5, 2005 | Hurricane | HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION |
| Sep 18, 2004 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IVAN |
| Sep 10, 2004 | Hurricane | TROPICAL STORM FRANCES |
| Jan 13, 1996 | Snowstorm | BLIZZARD OF 96 |
| Oct 23, 1995 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, HIGH WINDS |
| Mar 17, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE SNOWFALL & WINTER STORM |
| Jun 25, 1973 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING |
Individual Assistance
Source: FEMA Housing AssistanceTotal IA Registrations
435
Total IA Distributed
$434,914
Repair/Replace
$195,491
Rental Assistance
$18,803
| Disaster | Registrations | Total IA $ | Avg Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4285 | 1 | N/A | — |
| DR-4827 | 334 | $305,709 | $2,440 |
| DR-1553 | 77 | $67,731 | $2,104 |
| DR-1546 | 1 | $21,560 | $18,660 |
| DR-1554 | 10 | $17,467 | $14,050 |
| DR-4487 | 6 | $12,397 | — |
| DR-4501 | 1 | $9,000 | — |
| DR-4830 | 5 | $1,050 | — |
Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
79
Total Claims Paid
$1,968,753
Avg Claim Payout
$24,921
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$1,867,606
Disasters with PA
3
Total Projects
30
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4827 | Tropical Storm | 10 | $1,323,865 |
| DR-1553 | Hurricane | 18 | $527,127 |
| DR-1546 | Hurricane | 2 | $16,614 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
3
Federal Funding
$488,531
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.98
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 403.1: Stormwater Management - Culverts | 1 | $467,906 |
| 800.1: Miscellaneous | 1 | $0 |
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 1 | $20,625 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Highlands 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 16 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (7 declarations). 79 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $1,867,606 in public assistance recovery funding. $434,914 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 3 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.