Amherst County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
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
Risk Overview
Amherst County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 21.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 21st 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.
Risk here concentrates in hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $353K in expected annual loss and about 0.06 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $3K in expected annual loss and about 1.24 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $578K in expected annual loss and about 3.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $6M in expected annual loss for a population of 31K.
Beyond physical exposure, Amherst 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: Amherst County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 6 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, Amherst County ranks #74 for overall natural disaster risk.
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 |
Disaster History
Amherst County has received 23 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (6), 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 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2003 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isabel |
| February 2000 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
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.
How many federally declared disasters has Amherst County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Amherst County since 1969, most often 6 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. Amherst County's $6M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.