Danville City, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 68th
Danville City faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 68.0, 68th national percentile), driven primarily by riverine flood and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Danville City is low, with a National Risk Index score of 68.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 68th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $14M in expected annual loss and about 1.79 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $853K in expected annual loss and about 0.08 events per year; and winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $76K in expected annual loss and about 6.79 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $18M in expected annual loss for a population of 43K.
Beyond physical exposure, Danville City has a very 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: Danville City has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 7 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, Danville City ranks #16 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.79 / yr | $14M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.08 / yr | $853K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 6.79 / yr | $76K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.78 / yr | $120K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $399K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.01 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Low | 4.70 / yr | $201K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.16 / yr | $265K |
| Lightning | Low | 46.03 / yr | $156K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.06 / yr | $301K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $306 |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.79 / yr | $302K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 9.08 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Danville City has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), Severe Storm (3), Tropical Storm (2).
| 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 |
| December 2018 | Hurricane | Tropical Storm Michael |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| July 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Danville City?
Danville City has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 68.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 68th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Danville City?
The three highest-rated hazards are Riverine Flood (Medium, $14M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $853K EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $76K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Danville City compare to other Virginia counties?
Danville City ranks #16 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Danville City had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Danville City since 1972, most often 7 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. Danville City's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.