FEMA rates relative lightning risk for Forsyth County as relatively high and reports FEMA annualized frequency of 59.228 per year for the area.
FEMA summary
FEMA's profile for Forsyth County reports FEMA annualized frequency of 59.228 per year for lightning. FEMA's relative risk rating for the area is relatively 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 Forsyth County.
Lightning
FEMA combines its area-wide loss estimate and community data in this relative rating. Event frequency appears separately below.
Relative FEMA score
95.6/100
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 Forsyth County. It is not an estimate for a home or address.
City risk summary
For Winston-Salem, FEMA rates lightning risk for Forsyth County as relatively high, with a relative score of 95.6/100. The next highest relative scores are tornado at 91.1/100 and strong wind at 89.5/100.
Using FEMA data for Forsyth County, Winston-Salem is #9 among 16 covered North Carolina entries for lightning risk. High Point is about 17 straight-line miles from the Winston-Salem map point; its FEMA figures cover Guilford County.
For homeowners and movers
Preparedness actions
Living in Winston-Salem? Learn how to handle water storage, sanitation, and security in a small space.
The map shows Winston-Salem. All FEMA figures on this page cover Forsyth County.
The FEMA figures cover Forsyth County. Address-level conditions require local maps, building records, and property details.
FEMA rates relative lightning risk for Forsyth County as relatively high. Its FEMA annualized frequency is 59.228 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, Winston-Salem is #9 for relative lightning risk based on FEMA's score for Forsyth County. Homes within Winston-Salem can have different soil, elevation, construction, and hazard-zone conditions.
In FEMA's data for Forsyth County, the highest relative ratings are Lightning (Relatively High), Tornado (Relatively Moderate), and Strong Wind (Relatively High). FEMA uses estimated losses and community data along with event frequency when assigning these ratings.
The hazard numbers cover Forsyth County. For an individual home, check local fault, flood, fire, evacuation, and building records for the exact address.
FEMA gives Forsyth County an overall relative risk rating of relatively low. 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 | Lightning rating | Relative score |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Point, NC | 17 mi | Relatively High | 97.9 |
| Greensboro, NC | 24 mi | Relatively High | 97.9 |
| Burlington, NC | 44 mi | Relatively High | 91.5 |
| Concord, NC | 53 mi | Relatively Low | 62.0 |
| Hickory, NC | 64 mi | Relatively Moderate | 76.9 |
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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.