Climate Risk Summary

Zip Code 27042, Risk Profile

The primary drivers of climate-related financial risk in Unincorporated, NC (27042) are Inland Flooding, Drought, and Tornado. This area also faces an unusually high intensity for Ice Storm and Landslide compared to national averages.

Understanding the Dollars

Expected Annual Loss (EAL) is a statistical average of property damage for this entire zip code over a standard year across all properties.

  • / It represents the "average cost" rather than a guaranteed yearly bill.
  • / It can be used to compare the relative risk from different hazards and across different neighborhoods.

Primary Risks

Inland Flooding

$168,158

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 27042

47.8Score

Relatively Low compared to US average

27042
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Drought

$16,221

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 27042

93.9Score

Relatively Moderate compared to US average

27042
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Tornado

$13,686

Expected Annual Loss for Zip Code 27042

44.0Score

Relatively Low compared to US average

27042
Minimal Estimated LossMax Estimated Loss

Zip Code Risk Map

Legend
Very Low
Low
Moderate
High
Very High
Extreme

Financial Risk Inventory

MAJOR DRIVER
Inland Flooding
$168,158
Score: 47.8
MAJOR DRIVER
Drought
$16,221
Score: 93.9
MAJOR DRIVER
Tornado
$13,686
Score: 44.0
Cold Wave
$12,852
Score: 45.7
Hurricane
$9,630
Score: 62.3
Strong Wind
$7,459
Score: 61.2
UNUSUALLY HIGH
Ice Storm
$5,880
Score: 83.6
Earthquake
$4,791
Score: 36.4
Hail
$2,945
Score: 56.1
Lightning
$2,635
Score: 42.0
Heat Wave
$2,305
Score: 9.6
Winter Weather
$1,155
Score: 59.6
Wildfire
$86
Score: 52.6
UNUSUALLY HIGH
Landslide
$66
Score: 85.7

Recommended Mitigation Strategies

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

💧Medium Investment

Inland Flooding Mitigation

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

Risk Score: 47.8
🏠Low Investment

Drought Mitigation

General property maintenance and insurance review recommended.

Risk Score: 93.9
🌪️High Investment

Tornado Mitigation

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

Risk Score: 44.0
❄️Medium Investment

Ice Storm Mitigation

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

Risk Score: 83.6
⛰️High Investment

Landslide Mitigation

Professional slope stabilization and foundation drainage inspection is highly recommended.

Risk Score: 85.7

Methodology and Sources

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 Locations

Zip Code 27052Zip Code 27025Zip Code 27357Zip Code 27009Zip Code 27027Zip Code 27016