Galax City, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 7th
Galax City faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 6.8, 7th national percentile), driven primarily by cold wave and hurricane 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 Galax City at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 6.8 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 cold wave (prolonged spells of dangerously low temperatures) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 3.89 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $39K in expected annual loss and about 0.03 events per year; and landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $437 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 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, Galax City has a 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Galax City has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 4 for hurricane events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Galax City ranks #116 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.89 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $39K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $437 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $80K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.72 / yr | $25K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.88 / yr | $127K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $90K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.32 / yr | $8K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.82 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Very Low | 49.15 / yr | $30K |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.51 / yr | $18K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 5.57 / yr | $0 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Galax City has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (4), Snowstorm (4), 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 |
| 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 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Galax City?
Galax City has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 6.8 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 Galax City?
The three highest-rated hazards are Cold Wave (Low, $1M EAL), Hurricane (Very Low, $39K EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $437 EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Galax City compare to other Virginia counties?
Galax City ranks #116 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Galax City had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Galax City since 1972, most often 4 for hurricane 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. Galax City's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.