Natural Disasters in Waynesville, NC

Hazard risk, disaster history, and FEMA data

Natural Hazard Risk

Source: FEMA National Risk Index

Risk Score

77.2

Relatively Low

Expected Annual Loss

73.8

Score (0-100)

Social Vulnerability

61.1

Score (0-100)

Community Resilience

52.5

Score (0-100)

Top Hazard Risks

Landslide98.1Cold Wave92.0Lightning78.7

Hazard	Risk Score
Landslide	98.1
Cold Wave	92.0
Lightning	78.7
Ice Storm	76.7
Earthquake	71.8
Strong Wind	70.9
Winter Weather	62.4
Wildfire	58.7
Hurricane	57.9
Tornado	57.8
Hail	52.8
Drought	44.8

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 OpenFEMA

Total Declarations

Most Recent

Winter Storm

Jan 2026

Most Common Type

Hurricane

8 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
Sep 8, 2021	Hurricane	REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM FRED
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
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 15, 1998	Severe Storm	SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
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
Nov 9, 1977	Flood	SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Jun 25, 1973	Flood	SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING

Individual Assistance

Source: FEMA Housing Assistance

Total IA Registrations

7,444

Total IA Distributed

$19,232,287

Repair/Replace

$9,016,590

Rental Assistance

$1,807,962

Disaster	Registrations	Total IA $	Avg Damage
DR-4827	5,234	$11,959,702	$1,272
DR-4617	1,067	$3,296,248	$2,215
DR-1553	718	$2,188,762	$2,943
DR-1546	380	$1,567,638	$16,226
DR-4487	45	$219,937	—

Individual and household assistance for homeowners and renters affected by federally declared disasters.

Flood Insurance (NFIP)

Source: FEMA NFIP

Total Claims

730

Total Claims Paid

$36,037,905

Avg Claim Payout

$49,367

County-level NFIP data from FEMA National Flood Insurance Program.

Disaster Recovery Spending

Source: FEMA Public Assistance

Total Federal Spending

$33,155,192

Disasters with PA

Total Projects

370

Disaster	Type	Projects	Federal $
DR-4827	Tropical Storm	106	$14,333,367
DR-4617	Flood	55	$13,518,121
DR-1553	Hurricane	71	$1,986,032
DR-1546	Hurricane	105	$1,851,282
DR-1871	Severe Storm(s)	27	$906,397
DR-4487	Biological	6	$559,993

Hazard Mitigation

Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance

Mitigation Projects

Federal Funding

$2,113,799

Properties Protected

Avg Benefit-Cost Ratio

0.00

BCR

Top Mitigation Project Types

Project Type	Projects	Federal $
200.1: Acquisition of Private Real Property (Structures and Land) - Riverine	2	$2,104,049
602.1: Other Equipment Purchase and Installation	1	$0
601.1: Generators	1	$9,750

Federally funded projects to reduce future disaster risk. Only includes completed or obligated projects.

Waynesville 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 20 federal disaster declarations. The most common disaster type is hurricane (8 declarations). 730 flood insurance claims have been filed in the area. FEMA has obligated $33,155,192 in public assistance recovery funding. $19,232,287 has been distributed in individual assistance to disaster-affected residents. 4 hazard mitigation projects have been funded to reduce future risk.