Madison County
Virginia — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 8th
Madison County faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 8.4, 8th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.08 / yr | $658K |
| Drought | Low | 3.75 / yr | $263K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $789 |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.73 / yr | $1K |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $215K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $28K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 4.51 / yr | $353K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 3.77 / yr | $124K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 40.82 / yr | $78K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.00 / yr | $77K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 2.61 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.14 / yr | $131K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.60 / yr | $12K |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 1.95 / yr | $80K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.70 / yr | $5K |
| 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 Madison County?
Madison County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 8.4 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 8th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Madison County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $658K EAL), Drought (Low, $263K EAL), Avalanche (Very Low, $789 EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Madison County compare to other Virginia counties?
Madison County ranks #111 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. Madison County's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.