Buena Vista City, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 3th
Buena Vista City faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 3.3, 3th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and lightning exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $2M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Buena Vista City is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 3.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 3rd 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 hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $92K in expected annual loss and about 0.06 events per year; lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Low risk — $113K in expected annual loss and about 42.54 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $32K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $2M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Buena Vista City has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
History supports the rating: Buena Vista City has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 6 for flood events and 5 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Buena Vista City ranks #127 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $92K |
| Lightning | Low | 42.54 / yr | $113K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $32K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $116 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $2M |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 3.13 / yr | $111K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 3.11 / yr | $104K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 11.74 / yr | $9K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $11 |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.17 / yr | $34K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $36K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 1.18 / yr | $3K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $4K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $414 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 3.39 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Buena Vista City has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Flood (6), Hurricane (5), Snowstorm (4).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| February 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2003 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isabel |
| September 1996 | Hurricane | Hurricane Fran and Associated Severe Storm Cond |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Buena Vista City?
Buena Vista City has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 3.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 3th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Buena Vista City?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Very Low, $92K EAL), Lightning (Low, $113K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $32K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Buena Vista City compare to other Virginia counties?
Buena Vista City ranks #127 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Buena Vista City had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Buena Vista City since 1972, most often 6 for flood events and 5 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. Buena Vista City's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.