Durham, NC
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Durham is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk — near the middle compared to other US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Durham County, NC. The county's highest-rated hazards are heat wave, tornado, and inland flooding.
Storm events near Durham
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Durham's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Durham 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 Durham County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Durham along with the rest of the county, not a Durham-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 34.5 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 92.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 81.9 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 94 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 93.5 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 55.2 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 42.8 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 89.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | 89.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | 82.4 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 45.6 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 90.4 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 88.1 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 83.2 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Durham County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Durham County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Durham, NC at risk of?
Durham is rated Relatively Moderate for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — near the middle compared to other US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Durham County, where Durham is located, are heat wave, tornado, and inland flooding.
What is Durham's biggest natural hazard risk?
Heat Wave is the highest-rated hazard for Durham County, where Durham is located, scoring 94 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Moderate").
Is Durham a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Somewhat — Durham carries near the middle compared to other US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Moderate" for Durham County.
Has Durham had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 9 tornado, 154 hail, 271 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Durham since 2016.