Lee County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 57th
Lee County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 57.3, 57th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and wildfire exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Lee County carries a low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 57.3 out of 100 — placing it in the 57th 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 Lee County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $61K in expected annual loss and about 1.48 events per year; wildfire (uncontrolled fires that spread across wildland and into communities) at Low risk — $252K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year; and riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Low risk — $9M in expected annual loss and about 0.57 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 22K.
Beyond physical exposure, Lee County has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a very 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: Lee County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1976, including 6 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Lee County ranks #27 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 1.48 / yr | $61K |
| Wildfire | Low | 0.01 / yr | $252K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.57 / yr | $9M |
| Avalanche | Low | 0.01 / yr | $3K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.42 / yr | $937K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 12.05 / yr | $59K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $271K |
| Drought | Low | 11.51 / yr | $143K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.66 / yr | $396K |
| Hail | Low | 2.86 / yr | $144K |
| Lightning | Low | 52.76 / yr | $117K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $19K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.09 / yr | $393K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $13K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $3K |
| 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
Lee County has received 20 federal disaster declarations since 1976, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (6), Snowstorm (4), Hurricane (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2025 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms and Flooding |
| October 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| February 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| June 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding |
Showing the 10 most recent of 20 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Lee County?
Lee County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 57.3 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 57th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Lee County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $61K EAL), Wildfire (Low, $252K EAL), Riverine Flood (Low, $9M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Lee County compare to other Virginia counties?
Lee County ranks #27 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Lee County had?
FEMA records 20 federal disaster declarations for Lee County since 1976, most often 6 for severe storm events and 4 for snowstorm 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. Lee County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.