Natural Disasters in Sparta, NC
Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data
Natural Hazard Risk
Source: FEMA National Risk IndexRisk Score
34.7
Very Low
Expected Annual Loss
20.1
Score (0-100)
Social Vulnerability
94.5
Score (0-100)
Community Resilience
10.5
Score (0-100)
Top Hazard Risks
| Hazard | Risk Score |
|---|---|
| Landslide | 90.2 |
| Drought | 83.1 |
| Ice Storm | 80.5 |
| Cold Wave | 77.7 |
| Hurricane | 59.1 |
| Wildfire | 45.8 |
| Earthquake | 43.8 |
| Lightning | 39.1 |
| Tornado | 27.5 |
| Strong Wind | 24.3 |
| Winter Weather | 19.3 |
| Hail | 17.8 |
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
19
Most Recent
Winter Storm
Jan 2026
Most Common Type
Hurricane
9 declarations
| Date | Type | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORM |
| Sep 28, 2024 | Tropical Storm | TROPICAL STORM HELENE |
| Aug 6, 2024 | Tropical Storm | TROPICAL STORM DEBBY |
| Oct 1, 2022 | Hurricane | HURRICANE IAN |
| Mar 3, 2021 | Severe Storm | TROPICAL STORM ETA |
| 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 14, 2018 | Hurricane | HURRICANE FLORENCE |
| Sep 10, 2018 | Hurricane | HURRICANE FLORENCE |
| Sep 25, 2013 | Flood | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES |
| Feb 2, 2010 | Severe Storm | SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND FLOODING |
| 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 |
| Mar 17, 1993 | Snowstorm | SEVERE SNOWFALL & WINTER STORM |
| Sep 25, 1989 | Hurricane | HURRICANE HUGO |
Individual Assistance
Source: FEMA Housing AssistanceTotal IA Registrations
1,105
Total IA Distributed
$2,048,051
Repair/Replace
$1,028,928
Rental Assistance
$49,726
| Disaster | Registrations | Total IA $ | Avg Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4827 | 1,081 | $1,949,023 | $1,328 |
| DR-4487 | 11 | $74,355 | — |
| DR-1546 | 3 | $13,369 | $5,953 |
| DR-1553 | 8 | $9,361 | $1,434 |
| DR-4019 | 2 | $1,944 | $1,944 |
Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.
Flood Insurance (NFIP)
Source: FEMA NFIPTotal Claims
13
Total Claims Paid
$475,389
Avg Claim Payout
$36,568
County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.
Disaster Recovery Spending
Source: FEMA Public AssistanceTotal Federal Spending
$268,425
Disasters with PA
4
Total Projects
10
| Disaster | Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4827 | Tropical Storm | 2 | $236,553 |
| DR-1871 | Severe Storm(s) | 5 | $20,099 |
| DR-4393 | Hurricane | 2 | $6,537 |
| DR-4487 | Biological | 1 | $5,236 |
Hazard Mitigation
Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation AssistanceMitigation Projects
2
Federal Funding
$23,261
Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio
0.58
BCR
Top Mitigation Project Types
| Project Type | Projects | Federal $ |
|---|---|---|
| 602.1: Other Equipment Purchase and Installation | 1 | $0 |
| 601.1: Generators | 1 | $23,261 |
Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.
Sparta has a very low overall natural hazard risk rating according to FEMA's National Risk Index. The top hazard risks are landslide, drought, ice storm. The area has had 19 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (9 declarations). 13 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $268,425 in public assistance recovery funding. $2,048,051 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 2 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.