Harrisonburg City
Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 27th
Harrisonburg City faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 26.6, 27th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $9M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.06 / yr | $639K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $621K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.51 / yr | $775K |
| Lightning | Medium | 38.44 / yr | $318K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 12.68 / yr | $55K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.86 / yr | $6M |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.16 / yr | $249K |
| Hail | Low | 2.33 / yr | $163K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $227 |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.97 / yr | $22K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $319K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 2.16 / yr | $173K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $3K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 3.60 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Harrisonburg City?
Harrisonburg City has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 26.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 27th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Harrisonburg City?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $639K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $621K EAL), Strong Wind (Medium, $775K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Harrisonburg City compare to other Virginia counties?
Harrisonburg City ranks #67 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
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. Harrisonburg City's $9M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.