Norton City, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 2th
Norton City faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 1.6, 2th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $1M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Norton City carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 1.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 2nd 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 landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $916 in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $63K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $8K in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $1M in expected annual loss for a population of 4K.
Beyond physical exposure, Norton City 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: Norton City has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1977, including 3 for hurricane events and 3 for snowstorm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Norton City ranks #133 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $916 |
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $63K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $8K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 2.21 / yr | $217K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $7K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 15.05 / yr | $10K |
| Strong Wind | Very Low | 3.84 / yr | $62K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $53K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.43 / yr | $706K |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.06 / yr | $8K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.13 / yr | $806 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 50.70 / yr | $6K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 6.65 / yr | $0 |
| Heat Wave | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Norton City has received 15 federal disaster declarations since 1977, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (3), Snowstorm (3), Severe Storm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| October 2024 | Tropical Storm | Tropical Storm Helene |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Post-Tropical Cyclone 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 |
| March 2003 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storm, Record/Near Record Snowfall, Heavy Rain,Floodind, and Mudslide |
Showing the 10 most recent of 15 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Norton City?
Norton City has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 1.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 2th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Norton City?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Very Low, $916 EAL), Earthquake (Very Low, $63K EAL), Hurricane (Very Low, $8K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Norton City compare to other Virginia counties?
Norton City ranks #133 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Norton City had?
FEMA records 15 federal disaster declarations for Norton City since 1977, most often 3 for hurricane events and 3 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. Norton City's $1M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.