Botetourt County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 18th
Botetourt County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 18.1, 18th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Botetourt County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 18.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 18th 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.
Most of Botetourt County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $50K in expected annual loss and about 1.38 events per year; avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very Low risk — $3K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $175K in expected annual loss and about 0.03 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 34K.
Beyond physical exposure, Botetourt County has a very low 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: Botetourt County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 6 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, Botetourt County ranks #83 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 1.38 / yr | $50K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $175K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.61 / yr | $7M |
| Lightning | Low | 42.78 / yr | $217K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.73 / yr | $553K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 10.16 / yr | $54K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $152K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.00 / yr | $550K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.59 / yr | $28K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $14K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.61 / yr | $15K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $122K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.30 / yr | $45K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.42 / yr | $25K |
| 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
Botetourt County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (6), Severe Storm (5), 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 |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Botetourt County?
Botetourt County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 18.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 18th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Botetourt County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $50K EAL), Avalanche (Very Low, $3K EAL), Hurricane (Very Low, $175K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Botetourt County compare to other Virginia counties?
Botetourt County ranks #83 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Botetourt County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Botetourt County since 1969, most often 6 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. Botetourt County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.