Buckingham County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 19th
Buckingham County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 19.0, 19th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Buckingham County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 19.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 19th 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.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $718K in expected annual loss and about 8.25 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $722K in expected annual loss and about 0.08 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $368K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 17K.
Beyond physical exposure, Buckingham County has a very 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.
History supports the rating: Buckingham County has received 23 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, Buckingham County ranks #80 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | Medium | 8.25 / yr | $718K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.08 / yr | $722K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $368K |
| Lightning | Low | 41.25 / yr | $200K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 1.05 / yr | $1K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.67 / yr | $392K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 2.53 / yr | $82K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 1.46 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 1.31 / yr | $15K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $204K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.72 / yr | $50K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $5K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 7.07 / yr | $6K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $6 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.74 / yr | $33K |
| 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
Buckingham County has received 23 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 |
| March 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| 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 |
| April 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storms and Snowstorms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 23 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Buckingham County?
Buckingham County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 19.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 19th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Buckingham County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (Medium, $718K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $722K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $368K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Buckingham County compare to other Virginia counties?
Buckingham County ranks #80 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Buckingham County had?
FEMA records 23 federal disaster declarations for Buckingham 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. Buckingham County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.