Hickory, North Carolina: natural disaster risk
How exposed Hickory is to floods, storms and other hazards, from FEMA and NOAA records for Catawba County.
Hickory is a city of 44,258 people in Catawba County, North Carolina. Parts of Hickory also reach into Burke County and Caldwell County. FEMA's National Risk Index rates Catawba County relatively low for natural hazards overall, lower than most of the US. The costliest hazards there are inland flooding, tornado and earthquake, with about $45.4 million in expected losses a year across the county. The weather service has logged 558 storm reports in the county since 1951, including 21 tornadoes and 39 floods. NOAA hurricane records show 2 hurricanes and 13 tropical storms passing within 65 miles of the county's center. About 0.3% of homes in the county carry federal flood insurance.
Risk figures are for Catawba County, the county with most of the population Hickory sits in. FEMA National Risk Index December 2025; NOAA Storm Events; US Census Bureau ACS 2020 to 2024. Updated November 6, 2026.
Top risks in Hickory
Full Catawba County report ›- Check the FEMA flood map for your address, and ask the seller or landlord about past flooding.
- Price a flood policy now. Most new federal policies take 30 days to start.
- Pick a shelter spot: a basement, or an inside room on the lowest floor with no windows.
- Turn on emergency alerts on your phone and keep a weather radio.
- Ask whether an older house is bolted to its foundation.
- Consider separate earthquake insurance where risk is high.
All hazards
| Hazard | Rating | A year |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | $27M | |
| Tornado | $6M | |
| Earthquake | $3M | |
| Ice storm | $2M | |
| Cold wave | $2M | |
| Hurricane | $1M | |
| Strong wind | $1M | |
| Lightning | $993K | |
| Hail | $579K | |
| Heat wave | $543K | |
| Drought | $315K | |
| Winter weather | $98K |
Homes in Hickory
Older homes and mobile homes usually take more damage in storms, floods and earthquakes. Ask about roof age, flood history and retrofits before you buy or rent.
Strongest tornadoes in Catawba County
Other cities in North Carolina
All ›Common questions about Hickory
Is Hickory safe from natural disasters?
Hickory is in Catawba County, which FEMA's National Risk Index rates relatively low overall, lower than most of the US. The biggest hazards are inland flooding, tornado, earthquake. No place is free of risk, so check the flood map and insurance for any home you consider.
What natural disasters happen in Hickory?
By expected yearly losses in Catawba County, the top hazards are inland flooding (Moderate), tornado (Moderate), earthquake (Low). Catawba County has been part of 19 federal disaster or emergency declarations for natural events.
Does Hickory get tornadoes?
Yes. NOAA records list 21 tornadoes in Catawba County since 1950; the strongest was an F4 tornado on May 5, 1989. FEMA rates tornado risk in the county moderate.
Do I need flood insurance in Hickory?
Standard home insurance does not cover floods. In Catawba County, about 0.3% of homes have federal flood insurance, and FEMA rates inland flooding risk moderate. Check the FEMA flood map for your address and get a quote even outside a high-risk zone.