Morganton, NC
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Morganton is rated Relatively Low for overall natural hazard risk — lower risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Burke County, NC. The county's highest-rated hazards are ice storm, lightning, and landslide.
Storm events near Morganton
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Morganton's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Morganton 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 Burke County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Morganton along with the rest of the county, not a Morganton-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 47 | Very Low |
| Inland Flooding | 79.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | — | Not Applicable |
| Earthquake | 72.3 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 65.3 | Relatively Low |
| Tornado | 75.2 | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 55.9 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | 62 | Relatively Low |
| Hail | 61.5 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 67.4 | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | 90.8 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 79.7 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | 86.9 | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | 48.7 | Relatively Low |
| 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 Burke County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
More on Burke County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Morganton, NC at risk of?
Morganton 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 Burke County, where Morganton is located, are ice storm, lightning, and landslide.
What is Morganton's biggest natural hazard risk?
Ice Storm is the highest-rated hazard for Burke County, where Morganton is located, scoring 90.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Relatively High").
Is Morganton a high-risk area for natural disasters?
No — Morganton carries lower risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively Low" for Burke County.
Has Morganton had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 17 tornado, 139 hail, 101 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Morganton since 2016.