Alleghany County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 38th
Alleghany County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 38.1, 38th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Alleghany County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 38.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 38th national percentile and among the lowest-risk counties in the country. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Most of Alleghany County's expected losses come from strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 2.38 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $23K in expected annual loss and about 1.18 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Low risk — $3K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 15K.
Beyond physical exposure, Alleghany County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Alleghany County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 5 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Alleghany County ranks #52 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | High | 2.38 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 1.18 / yr | $23K |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Lightning | Medium | 42.31 / yr | $336K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.07 / yr | $7M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.89 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $110K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 13.25 / yr | $33K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $95K |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.61 / yr | $14K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.97 / yr | $50K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.45 / yr | $9K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $52K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $3K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Alleghany County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Severe Storm (4), Snowstorm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| July 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| February 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| July 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| October 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding From the Remanants of Hurricane Jeanne |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Alleghany County?
Alleghany County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 38.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 38th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Alleghany County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (High, $2M EAL), Landslide (Low, $23K EAL), Avalanche (Low, $3K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Alleghany County compare to other Virginia counties?
Alleghany County ranks #52 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Alleghany County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Alleghany County since 1969, most often 5 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm, declared in January 2026.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Alleghany County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.