Polk has declared 13 natural disasters since 1953

POLK COUNTY—Polk County has declared 13 natural disasters since 1953, according to data from the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners. 

Polk County ranked 35th lowest in the state for natural disasters, which includes disasters declared as a result of a hurricane, flood, fire and other severe weather. The map provided by the NCACC recently shows the number of federally declared disasters in each county dating back to 1953. 

Polk County joined surrounding counties of Rutherford and McDowell by having 13 federally declared disasters. Buncombe County had 12 federal disasters and was ranked as the 21st lowest in the state. 

Henderson County has had 10 federally declared disasters and was ranked as the 11th lowest in the state. 

Clay County was ranked as the lowest in the state with 5 declared disasters, while Hyde County was ranked the highest with 22 federally declared disasters. 

The counties of Craven and Brunswick also had 22 federally declared disasters, while the counties of New Hanover, Dare and Beaufort had 21 disasters, according to the NCACC. 

The NCACC’s data came from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 

The NCACC releases a Map Book every year with data and maps that highlight demographic, economic, health and educational information from the state’s 100 counties. 

The data indicators were selected based on research at the county level, recommendations from county officials and staff and timely policy issues. 

The full Map Book can be accessed by visiting https://www.ncacc.org/794/2019-County-Map-Book.