Greene County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 9th
Greene County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 9.3, 9th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Greene County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 9.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 9th 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 hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $309K in expected annual loss and about 0.07 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Low risk — $205K in expected annual loss and about 3.68 events per year; and avalanche (fast-moving snow and debris sliding down steep mountain slopes) at Very Low risk — $675 in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 21K.
Beyond physical exposure, Greene County has a low social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a low community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Greene County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 6 for hurricane events and 5 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Greene County ranks #108 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.07 / yr | $309K |
| Drought | Low | 3.68 / yr | $205K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $675 |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.38 / yr | $1K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $32K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $177K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.67 / yr | $376K |
| Lightning | Low | 40.30 / yr | $129K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.38 / yr | $150K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.45 / yr | $95K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 2.18 / yr | $3M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 11.02 / yr | $18K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.93 / yr | $9K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $130K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 2.03 / yr | $66K |
| 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
Greene County has received 26 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (6), Severe Storm (5), Snowstorm (5).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| October 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| March 2022 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| March 2016 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| November 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| July 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
Showing the 10 most recent of 26 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Greene County?
Greene County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 9.3 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 9th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Greene County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $309K EAL), Drought (Low, $205K EAL), Avalanche (Very Low, $675 EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Greene County compare to other Virginia counties?
Greene County ranks #108 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Greene County had?
FEMA records 26 federal disaster declarations for Greene County since 1972, most often 6 for hurricane events and 5 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. Greene County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.