Natural Disasters in Murphy, NC
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
56.7
Relatively Low
Expected Annual Loss
50.5
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
66.6
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
9.4
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Landslide | 97.1 |
| Wildfire | 81.1 |
| Earthquake | 73.7 |
| Tornado | 68.1 |
| Ice Storm | 65.6 |
| Lightning | 62.4 |
| Cold Wave | 59.8 |
| Hurricane | 58.4 |
| Strong Wind | 48.8 |
| Hail | 44.6 |
| Drought | 36.2 |
| Winter Weather | 28.6 |
| Heat Wave | 6.5 |
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
15
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Hurricane
5 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 |
| 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 |
| Feb 23, 1996 | Snowstorm | WINTER STORM |
| Jan 13, 1996 | Snowstorm | BLIZZARD OF 96 |
| Oct 23, 1995 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, HIGH WINDS |
| Mar 17, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE SNOWFALL & WINTER STORM |
| Apr 12, 1974 | Tornado | TORNADOES |
Individual Assistance
Source: FEMA Housing AssistanceTotal IA Registrations
149
Total IA Distributed
$411,765
Repair/Replace
$92,861
Rental Assistance
$3,648
| Disaster | Registrations | Total IA $ | Avg Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4487 | 54 | $262,307 | — |
| DR-4827 | 95 | $149,458 | $1,541 |
Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
56
Total Claims Paid
$913,538
Avg Claim Payout
$16,313
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$21,926
Disasters with PA
1
Total Projects
1
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4487 | Biological | 1 | $21,926 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
2
Federal Funding
$133,125
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.56
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 91.1: Local Multihazard Mitigation Plan | 1 | $55,313 |
| 800.1: Miscellaneous | 1 | $77,812 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Murphy has a relatively low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are landslide, wildfire, earthquake. The area has had 15 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (5 declarations). 56 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $21,926 in public assistance recovery funding. $411,765 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 2 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.