Giles County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 17th
Giles County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 16.6, 17th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Giles County is very low, with a National Risk Index score of 16.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 17th 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 — $37K in expected annual loss and about 1.03 events per year; avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Low risk — $3K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $156K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 17K.
Beyond physical exposure, Giles County 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.
History supports the rating: Giles County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 6 for severe storm events and 4 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Giles County ranks #90 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.03 / yr | $37K |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $156K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.71 / yr | $4M |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $20K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 4.58 / yr | $425K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 12.53 / yr | $27K |
| Lightning | Low | 43.17 / yr | $94K |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.25 / yr | $6K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.42 / yr | $127K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.79 / yr | $37K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.37 / yr | $5K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $56K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / 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
Giles County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Hurricane (4), Flood (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 |
| July 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
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 Giles County?
Giles County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 16.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 17th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Giles County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $37K EAL), Avalanche (Low, $3K EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $156K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Giles County compare to other Virginia counties?
Giles County ranks #90 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Giles County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Giles County since 1972, most often 6 for severe storm events and 4 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. Giles County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.