Gloucester County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 23th
Gloucester County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 22.6, 23th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Gloucester County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 22.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 23rd 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.
Most of Gloucester County's expected losses come from hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 0.19 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $816K in expected annual loss and about 2.70 events per year; and coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at Medium risk — $996K in expected annual loss and about 3.69 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 39K.
Beyond physical exposure, Gloucester 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.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Gloucester County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 8 for hurricane events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Gloucester County ranks #72 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.19 / yr | $1M |
| Drought | Medium | 2.70 / yr | $816K |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 3.69 / yr | $996K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.20 / yr | $92K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.69 / yr | $345K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 1.03 / yr | $552K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $40K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $201K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.15 / yr | $578K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.58 / yr | $449K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.06 / yr | $287 |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.32 / yr | $3M |
| Lightning | Low | 41.15 / yr | $103K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.00 / yr | $88K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 4.48 / yr | $13K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Gloucester County has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (8), Snowstorm (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 |
| August 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| September 2006 | Severe Storm | Tropical Depression Ernesto, Severe Storms and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2003 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isabel |
| September 1999 | Hurricane | Hurricane Floyd Major Disaster Declarations |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Gloucester County?
Gloucester County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 22.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 23th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Gloucester County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $1M EAL), Drought (Medium, $816K EAL), Coastal Flood (Medium, $996K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Gloucester County compare to other Virginia counties?
Gloucester County ranks #72 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Gloucester County had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Gloucester County since 1972, most often 8 for hurricane events and 3 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. Gloucester County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.