Bland County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 13th
Bland County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 13.0, 13th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Bland County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 13.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 13th 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 — $27K in expected annual loss and about 1.08 events per year; cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 4.68 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very Low risk — $834 in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Bland County has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very low 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 federal record bears this out: Bland County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 4 for severe storm events and 3 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Bland County ranks #98 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 1.08 / yr | $27K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.68 / yr | $2M |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $834 |
| Drought | Low | 1.66 / yr | $140K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $17K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.75 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $52K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 15.00 / yr | $10K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 2.03 / yr | $59K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 44.51 / yr | $25K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.48 / yr | $3K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.37 / yr | $14K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $17K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Bland County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (4), Hurricane (3), Snowstorm (3).
| 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 |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Post-Tropical Cyclone Helene |
| 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 |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Bland County?
Bland County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 13.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 13th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Bland County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $27K EAL), Cold Wave (Low, $2M EAL), Avalanche (Very Low, $834 EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Bland County compare to other Virginia counties?
Bland County ranks #98 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Bland County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Bland County since 1976, most often 4 for severe storm events and 3 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. Bland County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.