Highland County
Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 3th
Highland County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 2.5, 3th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and avalanche exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $2M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Low | 1.02 / yr | $15K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $2K |
| Drought | Low | 3.88 / yr | $294K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $34K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 7.46 / yr | $283K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 39.79 / yr | $50K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $13K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 22.61 / yr | $9K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.61 / yr | $1M |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.74 / yr | $47K |
| Hail | Very Low | 1.74 / yr | $18K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.30 / yr | $1K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.04 / yr | $7K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.11 / yr | $555 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / 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 Highland County?
Highland County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 2.5 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 3th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Highland County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Low, $15K EAL), Avalanche (Very Low, $2K EAL), Drought (Low, $294K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Highland County compare to other Virginia counties?
Highland County ranks #129 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. Highland County's $2M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.