Emporia City, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 5th
Emporia City faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 5.0, 5th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Emporia City at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 5.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 5th 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 hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $734K in expected annual loss and about 0.20 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $112K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Very Low risk — $19K in expected annual loss and about 1.12 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 6K.
Beyond physical exposure, Emporia City has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
History supports the rating: Emporia City has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1993, 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, Emporia City ranks #123 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.20 / yr | $734K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $112K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 1.12 / yr | $19K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 4.47 / yr | $19K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 6.05 / yr | $72K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $142K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.36 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.47 / yr | $54K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.51 / yr | $20K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 46.02 / yr | $20K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 0.59 / yr | $30K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $333 |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 6.10 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Emporia City has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1993, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (7), 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 |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| September 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2003 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isabel |
| May 2002 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| February 2000 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
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 Emporia City?
Emporia City has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 5.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 5th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Emporia City?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $734K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $112K EAL), Ice Storm (Very Low, $19K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Emporia City compare to other Virginia counties?
Emporia City ranks #123 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Emporia City had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Emporia City since 1993, 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. Emporia City's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.