Out of 27 counties with PHMSA gas distribution data, these are the counties with the highest incident risk.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Counties ranked | 27 |
| Total incidents (top 100) | 46 |
| Total fatalities (top 100) | 4 |
Top 27 Counties
| Rank | County | State | Incidents | Fatalities | Latest Year | Risk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mecklenburg | North Carolina | 5 | 0 | 2020 | 2/100 |
| 2 | Granville | North Carolina | 4 | 2 | 2020 | 41/100 |
| 3 | Durham | North Carolina | 4 | 2 | 2020 | 41/100 |
| 4 | New Hanover | North Carolina | 3 | 0 | 2025 | 9/100 |
| 5 | Rockingham | North Carolina | 3 | 0 | 2025 | 5/100 |
| 6 | Cabarrus | North Carolina | 3 | 0 | 2020 | 5/100 |
| 7 | Cumberland | North Carolina | 3 | 0 | 2024 | 5/100 |
| 8 | Wake | North Carolina | 3 | 0 | 2022 | 3/100 |
| 9 | Alexander | North Carolina | 3 | 0 | 2022 | 3/100 |
| 10 | Lee | North Carolina | 1 | 0 | 2023 | 4/100 |
| 11 | Brunswick | North Carolina | 1 | 0 | 2024 | 2/100 |
| 12 | Orange | North Carolina | 1 | 0 | 2011 | 2/100 |
| 13 | Rutherford | North Carolina | 1 | 0 | 2017 | 2/100 |
| 14 | Jackson | North Carolina | 1 | 0 | 2017 | 2/100 |
| 15 | Yancey | North Carolina | 1 | 0 | 2022 | 2/100 |
| 16 | Union | North Carolina | 1 | 0 | 2022 | 2/100 |
| 17 | Rowan | North Carolina | 1 | 0 | 2005 | 1/100 |
| 18 | Pender | North Carolina | 1 | 0 | 2020 | 1/100 |
| 19 | Pitt | North Carolina | 1 | 0 | 2021 | 1/100 |
| 20 | Gaston | North Carolina | 1 | 0 | 2005 | 1/100 |
| 21 | Haywood | North Carolina | 1 | 0 | 2020 | 1/100 |
| 22 | Buncombe | North Carolina | 1 | 0 | 2019 | 1/100 |
| 23 | Madison | North Carolina | 1 | 0 | 2019 | 1/100 |
| 24 | Guilford | North Carolina | 1 | 0 | 2008 | 0/100 |
| 25 | Caswell | North Carolina | 0 | 0 | — | 5/100 |
| 26 | Chatham | North Carolina | 0 | 0 | — | 4/100 |
| 27 | Columbus | North Carolina | 0 | 0 | — | 1/100 |
Methodology
County rankings for North Carolina based on total PHMSA gas distribution incidents reported since 2004.
Data source: U.S. DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Gas Distribution System Incident Reports 2004-2026. Last updated: 2026-06-04.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gas distribution incident?
Gas distribution incidents involve failures in the local natural gas pipeline network — leaks, ruptures, explosions, and equipment failures that can cause property damage, injuries, and fatalities. PHMSA requires all operators to report significant incidents.
How can I protect my home?
Install CO detectors on every level (CPSC recommendation). Have gas appliances inspected annually. Know the signs of a gas leak: rotten egg smell, hissing near gas lines, dead vegetation near pipelines. If you suspect a leak, leave immediately and call 911.