Bath County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 5th
Bath County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 5.4, 5th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and lightning 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 Bath County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 5.4 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.
The county's risk is driven primarily by landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $24K in expected annual loss and about 1.32 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $540K in expected annual loss and about 41.40 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 $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 4K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bath County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Bath County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 5 for hurricane events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Bath County ranks #120 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 1.32 / yr | $24K |
| Lightning | Medium | 41.40 / yr | $540K |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $53K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 5.58 / yr | $269K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.52 / yr | $9K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $29K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 15.07 / yr | $13K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.07 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 2.12 / yr | $76K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.34 / yr | $22K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.40 / yr | $3K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $13K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6 |
| 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
Bath County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Severe Storm (5), 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 |
| July 2001 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bath County?
Bath County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 5.4 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 Bath County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $24K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $540K EAL), Avalanche (Low, $3K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bath County compare to other Virginia counties?
Bath County ranks #120 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bath County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Bath County since 1969, most often 5 for hurricane events and 5 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. Bath County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.