Martinsville City, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 10th
Martinsville City faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 9.6, 10th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and hurricane exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Martinsville City carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 9.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 10th 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 earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $341K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $139K in expected annual loss and about 0.08 events per year; and ice storm (freezing rain that coats surfaces in heavy, damaging ice) at Low risk — $55K in expected annual loss and about 1.56 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 13K.
Beyond physical exposure, Martinsville City has a very high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a high community resilience rating (its capacity to prepare for and recover from disasters). Higher vulnerability is partly offset by strong community resilience and recovery capacity.
History supports the rating: Martinsville City has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 6 for hurricane events and 2 for biological events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Martinsville City ranks #106 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $341K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.08 / yr | $139K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.56 / yr | $55K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.16 / yr | $236K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.00 / yr | $297K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.03 / yr | $128 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.84 / yr | $210K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.68 / yr | $2M |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 6.47 / yr | $13K |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 1.21 / yr | $36K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 44.32 / yr | $44K |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.74 / yr | $43K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $186 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 7.22 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Martinsville City has received 13 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (6), Biological (2), Snowstorm (2).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| 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 |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| July 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 1996 | Hurricane | Hurricane Fran and Associated Severe Storm Cond |
Showing the 10 most recent of 13 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Martinsville City?
Martinsville City has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 9.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 10th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Martinsville City?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Low, $341K EAL), Hurricane (Low, $139K EAL), Ice Storm (Low, $55K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Martinsville City compare to other Virginia counties?
Martinsville City ranks #106 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Martinsville City had?
FEMA records 13 federal disaster declarations for Martinsville City since 1972, most often 6 for hurricane events and 2 for biological 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. Martinsville City's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.