FEMA rates relative hurricane risk for New Hanover County as very high and reports FEMA annualized frequency of 0.397 per year for the area.
FEMA summary
FEMA's profile for New Hanover County reports FEMA annualized frequency of 0.397 per year for hurricane. FEMA's relative risk rating for the area is very high; the annualized frequency is a separate measure.
Hazard metrics cover FEMA county-equivalent geographies rather than individual addresses or parcels. Use local or state hazard maps before making a property, insurance, retrofit, or evacuation decision.
Select a hazard to inspect FEMA's figures for New Hanover County.
Hurricane
FEMA combines its area-wide loss estimate and community data in this relative rating. Event frequency appears separately below.
Relative FEMA score
99.4/100
Occurrence thresholds vary by hazard. The FEMA methodology defines the value for each hazard.
The area loss estimate combines FEMA's modeled losses to buildings, population, and agriculture across New Hanover County. It is not an estimate for a home or address.
City risk summary
For Wilmington, FEMA rates hurricane risk for New Hanover County as very high, with a relative score of 99.4/100. The next highest relative scores are lightning at 98.7/100 and ice storm at 97.8/100.
Using FEMA data for New Hanover County, Wilmington is #1 among 16 covered North Carolina entries for hurricane risk. Jacksonville is about 46 straight-line miles from the Wilmington map point; its FEMA figures cover Onslow County.
For homeowners and movers
Preparedness actions
Living in Wilmington? Learn how to handle water storage, sanitation, and security in a small space.
The map shows Wilmington. All FEMA figures on this page cover New Hanover County.
The FEMA figures cover New Hanover County. Address-level conditions require local maps, building records, and property details.
FEMA rates relative hurricane risk for New Hanover County as very high. Its FEMA annualized frequency is 0.397 per year. Damage at a specific address also depends on the building, soil, elevation, and exact hazard zone.
Among 16 North Carolina cities covered by this directory, Wilmington is #1 for relative hurricane risk based on FEMA's score for New Hanover County. Homes within Wilmington can have different soil, elevation, construction, and hazard-zone conditions.
In FEMA's data for New Hanover County, the highest relative ratings are Hurricane (Very High), Lightning (Relatively High), and Ice Storm (Very High). FEMA uses estimated losses and community data along with event frequency when assigning these ratings.
The hazard numbers cover New Hanover County. For an individual home, check local fault, flood, fire, evacuation, and building records for the exact address.
FEMA gives New Hanover County an overall relative risk rating of relatively high. Conditions at a specific home depend on its hazard zones, building type, maintenance, insurance, and access to evacuation routes and emergency services.
Start with this step: Confirm the exact hazard using official local maps before making property or insurance decisions. Know how local officials issue warnings and evacuation instructions. Use Ready.gov Be Informed and local emergency guidance for a complete plan.
Distances are measured between city coordinates.
| City | Distance | Hurricane rating | Relative score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville, NC | 46 mi | Relatively High | 99.0 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 67 mi | Very High | 99.6 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 87 mi | Relatively Moderate | 94.0 |
| Greenville, NC | 100 mi | Relatively High | 96.3 |
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View productHazard metrics come from FEMA National Risk Index v1.19.0 (March 2023). City population and coordinates come from SimpleMaps US Cities Database. For current conditions, use official local maps, warnings, inspections, and professional advice.