Craig County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 6th
Craig County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 6.2, 6th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Craig County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 6.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 6th 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $19K in expected annual loss and about 0.83 events per year; avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very Low risk — $365 in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $16K in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 5K.
Beyond physical exposure, Craig County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Craig County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 7 for severe storm events and 5 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Craig County ranks #118 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.83 / yr | $19K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $365 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $16K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.61 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.94 / yr | $9K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $19K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 12.00 / yr | $11K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 2.59 / yr | $93K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 4.74 / yr | $86K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 43.08 / yr | $27K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $2K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.46 / yr | $2K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $17K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.48 / yr | $8K |
| Heat Wave | 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
Craig County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Hurricane (5), Snowstorm (5).
| 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 |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Post-Tropical Cyclone Helene |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| November 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
Showing the 10 most recent of 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Craig County?
Craig County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 6.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 6th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Craig County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $19K EAL), Avalanche (Very Low, $365 EAL), Hurricane (Very Low, $16K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Craig County compare to other Virginia counties?
Craig County ranks #118 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Craig County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Craig County since 1972, most often 7 for severe storm 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. Craig County's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.