Bedford County
Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 51th
Bedford County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 51.2, 51th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $827K |
| Lightning | Medium | 43.11 / yr | $554K |
| Drought | Medium | 6.04 / yr | $583K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.57 / yr | $13M |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.00 / yr | $141K |
| Landslide | Low | 1.67 / yr | $3K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.22 / yr | $796K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $484K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 9.11 / yr | $89K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $1K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.50 / yr | $67K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.37 / yr | $512K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.00 / yr | $153K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.59 / yr | $109K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.15 / yr | $389K |
| 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 Bedford County?
Bedford County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 51.2 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 51th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bedford County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $827K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $554K EAL), Drought (Medium, $583K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bedford County compare to other Virginia counties?
Bedford County ranks #34 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a 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. Bedford County's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.