Brunswick County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 28th
Brunswick County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 28.1, 28th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $7M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Brunswick County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 28.1 out of 100 — placing it in the 28th 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 Brunswick County's expected losses come from drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 9.40 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.16 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Low risk — $47K in expected annual loss and about 4.63 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $7M in expected annual loss for a population of 16K.
Beyond physical exposure, Brunswick County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
The federal record bears this out: Brunswick County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 8 for hurricane events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Brunswick County ranks #66 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 9.40 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.16 / yr | $1M |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.63 / yr | $47K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $150K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.16 / yr | $163K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.18 / yr | $27K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.27 / yr | $237K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.65 / yr | $62K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.53 / yr | $180K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.86 / yr | $143K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 44.22 / yr | $53K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.24 / yr | $58 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| 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
Brunswick County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (8), Snowstorm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| September 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2003 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isabel |
Showing the 10 most recent of 19 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Brunswick County?
Brunswick County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 28.1 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 28th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Brunswick County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $1M EAL), Winter Weather (Low, $47K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Brunswick County compare to other Virginia counties?
Brunswick County ranks #66 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Brunswick County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Brunswick County since 1972, most often 8 for hurricane events and 3 for snowstorm 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. Brunswick County's $7M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.