Elizabeth City, NC

Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data

Population: 19,028 · Part of Pasquotank County

Elizabeth City is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Pasquotank County, NC. The county's highest-rated hazards are hurricane, winter weather, and lightning.

Storm events near Elizabeth City

NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Elizabeth City's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Elizabeth City itself, not the whole county.

Tornado 13 events
Hail 18 events
Inland Flooding 75 events

County-wide hazard risk

Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Pasquotank County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Elizabeth City along with the rest of the county, not a Elizabeth City-specific figure.

Hazard NRI score Rating
Wildfire 44.5 Very Low
Inland Flooding 47.6 Relatively Low
Coastal Flooding 63.4 Relatively Moderate
Earthquake 41.5 Very Low
Heat Wave 60.8 Relatively Low
Tornado 44.5 Relatively Low
Avalanche Not Applicable
Cold Wave 34.3 Relatively Low
Drought 29.9 Very Low
Hail 31.9 Very Low
Hurricane 91.3 Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm 41 Relatively Low
Landslide 5.3 Very Low
Lightning 64.2 Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind 51.8 Relatively Moderate
Tsunami Insufficient Data
Volcanic Activity Not Applicable
Winter Weather 85.6 Relatively High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Pasquotank County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.

More on Pasquotank County:

Frequently asked questions

What natural hazards is Elizabeth City, NC at risk of?

Elizabeth City is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — lower risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Pasquotank County, where Elizabeth City is located, are hurricane, winter weather, and lightning.

What is Elizabeth City's biggest natural hazard risk?

Hurricane is the highest-rated hazard for Pasquotank County, where Elizabeth City is located, scoring 91.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Moderate").

Is Elizabeth City a high-risk area for natural disasters?

No — Elizabeth City carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Pasquotank County.

Has Elizabeth City had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?

NOAA has recorded 13 tornado, 18 hail, 75 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Elizabeth City since 2016.