Dickenson County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 18th
Dickenson County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 17.9, 18th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Dickenson County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 17.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 18th 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $72K in expected annual loss and about 1.12 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $436K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very Low risk — $2K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 14K.
Beyond physical exposure, Dickenson County has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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 federal record bears this out: Dickenson County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 6 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Dickenson County ranks #84 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.12 / yr | $72K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $436K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.29 / yr | $543K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $26K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.79 / yr | $461K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.50 / yr | $3M |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $87K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.64 / yr | $12K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 50.34 / yr | $34K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.99 / yr | $22K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $37K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.21 / yr | $7K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $2K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 8.04 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Dickenson County has received 21 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Snowstorm (4), Hurricane (3).
| 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 |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| February 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| July 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 21 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Dickenson County?
Dickenson County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 17.9 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 18th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Dickenson County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $72K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $436K EAL), Avalanche (Very Low, $2K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Dickenson County compare to other Virginia counties?
Dickenson County ranks #84 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Dickenson County had?
FEMA records 21 federal disaster declarations for Dickenson County since 1977, most often 6 for severe storm events and 4 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. Dickenson County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.