Lenoir, NC
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Lenoir is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Caldwell County, NC. The county's highest-rated hazards are landslide, ice storm, and inland flooding.
Storm events near Lenoir
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Lenoir's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Lenoir 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 Caldwell County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Lenoir along with the rest of the county, not a Lenoir-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 52 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 79 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 77.6 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 39.3 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 62.1 | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 50.7 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 50.9 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 46.8 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 66 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 88 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 90.5 | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | 70.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | 74.1 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tsunami | — | Not Applicable |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 36.3 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Caldwell County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Caldwell County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Lenoir, NC at risk of?
Lenoir 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 Caldwell County, where Lenoir is located, are landslide, ice storm, and inland flooding.
What is Lenoir's biggest natural hazard risk?
Landslide is the highest-rated hazard for Caldwell County, where Lenoir is located, scoring 90.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively Moderate").
Is Lenoir a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Lenoir carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Caldwell County.
Has Lenoir had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 17 tornado, 134 hail, 141 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Lenoir since 2016.