Hickory, NC
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Hickory is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Catawba County, NC. The county's highest-rated hazards are ice storm, tornado, and earthquake.
Storm events near Hickory
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Hickory's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Hickory 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 Catawba County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Hickory along with the rest of the county, not a Hickory-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 36.6 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 85.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 85.9 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 57.3 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 86.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 65.1 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 61 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 70 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 76.9 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 96.1 | Very High |
| Landslide | 62.5 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 85.3 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 75.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 60.9 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Catawba County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Catawba County:
More on Catawba County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Hickory, NC at risk of?
Hickory 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 Catawba County, where Hickory is located, are ice storm, tornado, and earthquake.
What is Hickory's biggest natural hazard risk?
Ice Storm is the highest-rated hazard for Catawba County, where Hickory is located, scoring 96.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Hickory a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Hickory carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Catawba County.
Has Hickory had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 23 tornado, 138 hail, 81 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Hickory since 2016.