Cornelius, NC
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Cornelius is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Mecklenburg County, NC. The county's highest-rated hazards are inland flooding, tornado, and ice storm.
Storm events near Cornelius
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Cornelius's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Cornelius itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Mecklenburg County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Cornelius along with the rest of the county, not a Cornelius-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 62.2 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 99 | Relatively High |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 93.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | 94.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 97.4 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 82.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | 28.6 | Very Low |
| Hail | 94.6 | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | 84.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | 94.9 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 71.7 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 94.9 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 91.7 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 85.4 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Mecklenburg County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Mecklenburg County:
More on Mecklenburg County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Cornelius, NC at risk of?
Cornelius is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Mecklenburg County, where Cornelius is located, are inland flooding, tornado, and ice storm.
What is Cornelius's biggest natural hazard risk?
Inland Flooding is the highest-rated hazard for Mecklenburg County, where Cornelius is located, scoring 99 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Cornelius a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Cornelius carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Mecklenburg County.
Has Cornelius had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 24 tornado, 99 hail, 71 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Cornelius since 2016.