Henry County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 64th
Henry County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 63.6, 64th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $15M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Henry County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 63.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 64th 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.
Most of Henry County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Low risk — $24K in expected annual loss and about 0.93 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $11M in expected annual loss and about 1.75 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Medium risk — $184K in expected annual loss and about 1.47 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $15M in expected annual loss for a population of 51K.
Beyond physical exposure, Henry 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 federal record bears this out: Henry County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 5 for hurricane events and 4 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Henry County ranks #20 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 0.93 / yr | $24K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 1.75 / yr | $11M |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.47 / yr | $184K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.07 / yr | $559K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $459K |
| Drought | Medium | 8.76 / yr | $294K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 3.19 / yr | $534K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.84 / yr | $933K |
| Lightning | Low | 45.15 / yr | $193K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 6.47 / yr | $47K |
| Hail | Low | 4.75 / yr | $165K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.10 / yr | $650K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.21 / yr | $131K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $6K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $3 |
| 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
Henry County has received 16 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (5), Severe Storm (4), Biological (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| October 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| July 2006 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| March 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Record/Near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,Floodind, and Mudslide |
| February 2000 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 16 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Henry County?
Henry County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 63.6 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 64th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Henry County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $24K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $11M EAL), Ice Storm (Medium, $184K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Henry County compare to other Virginia counties?
Henry County ranks #20 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Henry County had?
FEMA records 16 federal disaster declarations for Henry County since 1972, most often 5 for hurricane events and 4 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. Henry County's $15M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.