Appomattox County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 5th
Appomattox County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 5.1, 5th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Appomattox County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 5.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 5th 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 — $236K in expected annual loss and about 0.07 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $102K in expected annual loss and about 7.69 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $169K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 16K.
Beyond physical exposure, Appomattox County has a low 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: Appomattox County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 6 for severe storm events and 6 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Appomattox County ranks #122 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.07 / yr | $236K |
| Drought | Low | 7.69 / yr | $102K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $169K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.57 / yr | $629 |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.87 / yr | $226K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 41.74 / yr | $80K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 1.80 / yr | $20K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $47 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.79 / yr | $266K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.32 / yr | $64K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.10 / yr | $149K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.07 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 7.39 / yr | $6K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.97 / yr | $20K |
| 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
Appomattox County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Hurricane (6), Snowstorm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| October 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| March 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| May 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| December 2018 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Michael |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
Showing the 10 most recent of 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Appomattox County?
Appomattox County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 5.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 5th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Appomattox County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $236K EAL), Drought (Low, $102K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $169K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Appomattox County compare to other Virginia counties?
Appomattox County ranks #122 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Appomattox County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Appomattox County since 1972, most often 6 for severe storm events and 6 for hurricane 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. Appomattox County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.