Amherst County
Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 21th
Amherst County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 21.0, 21th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $6M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $353K |
| Landslide | Low | 1.24 / yr | $3K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.01 / yr | $578K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $955 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $298K |
| Lightning | Low | 42.76 / yr | $209K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $30K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.07 / yr | $4M |
| Drought | Low | 6.54 / yr | $47K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 10.32 / yr | $30K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.38 / yr | $29K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $250K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.21 / yr | $61K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.01 / yr | $43K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.48 / yr | $126K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Amherst County?
Amherst County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 21.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 21th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Amherst County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $353K EAL), Landslide (Low, $3K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $578K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Amherst County compare to other Virginia counties?
Amherst County ranks #74 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
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. Amherst County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.