Campbell County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 32th
Campbell County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 32.0, 32th national percentile), driven primarily by lightning and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Campbell County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 32.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 32nd 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 lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $564K in expected annual loss and about 42.93 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $626K in expected annual loss and about 0.07 events per year; and strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $676K in expected annual loss and about 2.91 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 56K.
Beyond physical exposure, Campbell County 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: Campbell County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 7 for hurricane events and 6 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Campbell County ranks #62 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Lightning | Medium | 42.93 / yr | $564K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.07 / yr | $626K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.91 / yr | $676K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $421K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 7.68 / yr | $77K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.68 / yr | $2K |
| Drought | Low | 7.63 / yr | $171K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.82 / yr | $6M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.84 / yr | $56K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $27K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 1.89 / yr | $209K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.46 / yr | $98K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $271K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.84 / yr | $86K |
| 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
Campbell County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), Severe Storm (6), Snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| 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 |
| July 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
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 Campbell County?
Campbell County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 32.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 32th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Campbell County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Lightning (Medium, $564K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $626K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $676K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Campbell County compare to other Virginia counties?
Campbell County ranks #62 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Campbell County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Campbell County since 1969, most often 7 for hurricane events and 6 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. Campbell County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.