Climate Risk Summary

Emerald Isle, NC Risk Profile

The primary drivers of climate-related financial risk in Emerald Isle, NC are Hurricane, Inland Flooding, and Coastal Flooding. This area also faces an unusually high intensity for Lightning, Winter Weather, and Ice Storm compared to national averages.

City-Wide Aggregation

These scores represent the population-weighted average across all residential blocks in Emerald Isle.

Primary Risks

Hurricane

$3,552,041

Expected Annual Loss for Emerald Isle

99.9Score

Very High compared to US average

Emerald Isle (OUTLIER)
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Inland Flooding

$468,925

Expected Annual Loss for Emerald Isle

73.6Score

Relatively Moderate compared to US average

Emerald Isle
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Coastal Flooding

$96,401

Expected Annual Loss for Emerald Isle

96.9Score

Relatively High compared to US average

Emerald Isle
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

City Boundary

Legend
Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High
Extreme

Financial Risk Inventory

MAJOR DRIVER
Hurricane
$3,552,041
Score: 99.9
MAJOR DRIVER
Inland Flooding
$468,925
Score: 73.6
MAJOR DRIVER
Coastal Flooding
$96,401
Score: 96.9
Tornado
$41,108
Score: 55.2
Heat Wave
$15,841
Score: 43.5
UNUSUALLY HIGH
Lightning
$15,015
Score: 80.5
Strong Wind
$13,612
Score: 63.9
UNUSUALLY HIGH
Winter Weather
$11,875
Score: 94.4
UNUSUALLY HIGH
Ice Storm
$9,765
Score: 83.6
Cold Wave
$8,984
Score: 29.8
Earthquake
$4,257
Score: 25.5
Hail
$2,741
Score: 45.7
Wildfire
$2,619
Score: 79.7
Landslide
$27
Score: 76.7

Recommended investments to protect your property value and reduce insurance liability based on your local risk profile.

🌀High Investment

Hurricane Mitigation

Install permanent hurricane shutters or upgrade to impact-resistant windows.

Risk Score: 99.9
💧Medium Investment

Inland Flooding Mitigation

Install a smart sump pump with battery backup and extend downspouts 10ft from foundation.

Risk Score: 73.6
🏠Low Investment

Coastal Flooding Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 96.9
🌪️High Investment

Tornado Mitigation

Reinforce garage doors and consider a FEMA-approved safe room or storm cellar.

Risk Score: 55.2
🏠Low Investment

Lightning Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 80.5
💨Low Investment

Strong Wind Mitigation

Trim large trees back from the roofline and reinforce roof-to-wall connectors (hurricane straps).

Risk Score: 63.9
🏠Low Investment

Winter Weather Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 94.4
❄️Medium Investment

Ice Storm Mitigation

Install a 10kWh backup battery system to keep pipes from freezing during grid failure.

Risk Score: 83.6
🔥Low Investment

Wildfire Mitigation

Create a 5ft 'non-combustible' zone around your home using gravel or pavers instead of mulch.

Risk Score: 79.7
⛰️High Investment

Landslide Mitigation

Professional slope stabilization and foundation drainage inspection is highly recommended.

Risk Score: 76.7

Sources and Methodology

Spatial Aggregation

Our "Atlas" risk scores are derived using a population-weighted spatial join. Because US Zip Codes and Census Tracts do not share perfectly aligned boundaries, a simple geographic average would be misleading. We utilize US Census Block Group population statistics to identify where residents actually live within a Zip Code. We then intersect these points with FEMA National Risk Index (NRI) hazard data to calculate a weighted exposure score.

Financial Projections (EAL)

Expected Annual Loss (EAL) estimates the average economic impact of natural hazards in dollars per year. This calculation incorporates three components: Exposure (the value of structures and agriculture), Annualized Frequency (historical probability), and Historic Loss Ratio (vulnerability of the area).

Primary Data Sources

  • FEMA National Risk IndexHazard frequency and loss data (v1.20.0)
  • U.S. Census BureauTIGER/Line 2025 Shapefiles & Decennial Population

Nearby Cities

Zip Codes in Emerald Isle