Charles City County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 9th
Charles City County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 9.3, 9th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Charles City County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 9.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 9th 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 3.82 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $317K in expected annual loss and about 0.18 events per year; and coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at Low risk — $36K in expected annual loss and about 3.69 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Charles City County has a high 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). That combination — a more vulnerable population with limited resilience — can amplify the human cost of any given event.
History supports the rating: Charles City County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 8 for hurricane events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Charles City County ranks #107 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 3.82 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.18 / yr | $317K |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 3.69 / yr | $36K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $93K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.32 / yr | $21K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.74 / yr | $65K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.25 / yr | $50K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.12 / yr | $140K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 4.53 / yr | $10K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $50 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.47 / yr | $71K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 43.96 / yr | $25K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $935K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.71 / yr | $42K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Charles City County has received 19 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (8), Severe Storm (3), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| September 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| September 2006 | Severe Storm | Tropical Depression Ernesto, Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes Associated W Td Gaston |
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 Charles City County?
Charles City County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 9.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 9th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Charles City County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $317K EAL), Coastal Flood (Low, $36K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Charles City County compare to other Virginia counties?
Charles City County ranks #107 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Charles City County had?
FEMA records 19 federal disaster declarations for Charles City County since 1972, most often 8 for hurricane events and 3 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. Charles City County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.