King and Queen County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 16th
King and Queen County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 16.2, 16th national percentile), driven primarily by drought and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $4M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates King and Queen County at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 16.2 out of 100 — placing it in the 16th 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 drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at High risk — $2M in expected annual loss and about 3.79 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $365K in expected annual loss and about 0.16 events per year; and coastal flood (seawater inundation from storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels) at Low risk — $107K in expected annual loss and about 3.69 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $4M in expected annual loss for a population of 7K.
Beyond physical exposure, King and Queen County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a medium 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.
History supports the rating: King and Queen County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1969, including 12 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, King and Queen County ranks #92 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Drought | High | 3.79 / yr | $2M |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.16 / yr | $365K |
| Coastal Flood | Low | 3.69 / yr | $107K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.25 / yr | $456 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $75K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.09 / yr | $23K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 5.07 / yr | $54K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.19 / yr | $156K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 1.81 / yr | $102K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.46 / yr | $1M |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.29 / yr | $39K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 42.19 / yr | $24K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 5.10 / yr | $4K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.60 / yr | $8K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
King and Queen County has received 25 federal disaster declarations since 1969, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (12), Severe Storm (4), Snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| November 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| November 2011 | Severe Storm | The Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee |
Showing the 10 most recent of 25 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for King and Queen County?
King and Queen County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 16.2 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 16th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in King and Queen County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Drought (High, $2M EAL), Hurricane (Low, $365K EAL), Coastal Flood (Low, $107K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does King and Queen County compare to other Virginia counties?
King and Queen County ranks #92 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has King and Queen County had?
FEMA records 25 federal disaster declarations for King and Queen County since 1969, most often 12 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. King and Queen County's $4M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.