Covington City, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 10th
Covington City faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 9.7, 10th national percentile), driven primarily by strong wind 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
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Covington City at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 9.7 out of 100 — placing it in the 10th 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 strong wind (damaging straight-line winds outside of tornadoes and hurricanes) at Medium risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 2.58 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $42K in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Low risk — $147K in expected annual loss and about 41.83 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Covington City has a medium social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The federal record bears this out: Covington City has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 3 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, Covington City ranks #105 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.58 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $42K |
| Lightning | Low | 41.83 / yr | $147K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $55K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.89 / yr | $348K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.29 / yr | $3M |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $98 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 13.26 / yr | $14K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.23 / yr | $23K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.51 / yr | $4K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $23K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $1K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $69 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.41 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Covington City has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (3), Snowstorm (3), Flood (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| October 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Post-Tropical Cyclone Helene |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Covington City?
Covington City has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 9.7 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 10th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Covington City?
The three highest-rated hazards are Strong Wind (Medium, $1M EAL), Hurricane (Very Low, $42K EAL), Lightning (Low, $147K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Covington City compare to other Virginia counties?
Covington City ranks #105 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Covington City had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Covington City since 1972, most often 3 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. Covington City's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.