Halifax County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 47th
Halifax County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 47.0, 47th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Halifax County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 47.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 47th national percentile and below the national average for natural-disaster risk. The score blends Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across all 18 FEMA hazard types.
Risk here concentrates in drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 10.35 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $953K in expected annual loss and about 0.08 events per year; and lightning (electrical discharges from storms that ignite fires and cause casualties) at Medium risk — $353K in expected annual loss and about 44.23 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $9M in expected annual loss for a population of 34K.
Beyond physical exposure, Halifax County has a very high 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). 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: Halifax County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 8 for hurricane events and 7 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Halifax County ranks #41 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 10.35 / yr | $1M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.08 / yr | $953K |
| Lightning | Medium | 44.23 / yr | $353K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 2.47 / yr | $624K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 6.47 / yr | $63K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $328K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 4.29 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Low | 3.96 / yr | $157K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.72 / yr | $50K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.80 / yr | $725 |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.37 / yr | $205K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.26 / yr | $392K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $7K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.63 / yr | $90K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| 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
Halifax County has received 24 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (8), Severe Storm (7), Snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| 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 |
| July 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
Showing the 10 most recent of 24 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Halifax County?
Halifax County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 47.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 47th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Halifax County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $1M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $953K EAL), Lightning (Medium, $353K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Halifax County compare to other Virginia counties?
Halifax County ranks #41 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Halifax County had?
FEMA records 24 federal disaster declarations for Halifax County since 1972, most often 8 for hurricane events and 7 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. Halifax County's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.