Floyd County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 7th
Floyd County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 6.6, 7th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Floyd County carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 6.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 7th 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 — $37K in expected annual loss and about 1.03 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $412K in expected annual loss and about 4.95 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $110K in expected annual loss and about 0.04 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 15K.
Beyond physical exposure, Floyd County has a low 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). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
History supports the rating: Floyd County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 6 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, Floyd County ranks #117 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 1.03 / yr | $37K |
| Drought | Medium | 4.95 / yr | $412K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $110K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $48K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $276 |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.90 / yr | $541K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $67K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 11.07 / yr | $22K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.13 / yr | $178K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.82 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.79 / yr | $12K |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.50 / yr | $39K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.08 / yr | $83K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 45.79 / yr | $35K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8 |
| 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
Floyd County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Hurricane (5), Snowstorm (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 |
| May 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Floyd County?
Floyd County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 6.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 7th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Floyd County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $37K EAL), Drought (Medium, $412K EAL), Hurricane (Very Low, $110K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Floyd County compare to other Virginia counties?
Floyd County ranks #117 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Floyd County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Floyd County since 1972, most often 6 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. Floyd County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.