Petersburg City, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 17th
Petersburg City faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 17.0, 17th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $5M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
FEMA's National Risk Index rates Petersburg City at very low composite risk, with a National Risk Index score of 17.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 17th 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.
Most of Petersburg City's expected losses come from hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $445K in expected annual loss and about 0.18 events per year; earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $532K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $316K in expected annual loss and about 5.63 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $5M in expected annual loss for a population of 33K.
Beyond physical exposure, Petersburg City has a high social vulnerability rating (how susceptible the population is to harm) and a 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: Petersburg City has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 6 for hurricane events and 3 for severe storm events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Petersburg City ranks #88 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.18 / yr | $445K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $532K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 5.63 / yr | $316K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 1.33 / yr | $69K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 4.58 / yr | $50K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 3.69 / yr | $8K |
| Lightning | Low | 44.09 / yr | $111K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.46 / yr | $3M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.01 / yr | $398K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.65 / yr | $157K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $4K |
| Hail | Very Low | 2.25 / yr | $31K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $5 |
| Cold Wave | Very Low | 0.47 / yr | $4K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 4.99 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Petersburg City has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (6), Severe Storm (3), Snowstorm (3).
| Declared | Type | Disaster |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | Winter Storm | Severe Winter Storm |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| September 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
| September 2004 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms, Flooding and Tornadoes Associated W Td Gaston |
| September 2003 | Hurricane | Hurricane Isabel |
| February 2000 | Severe Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
Showing the 10 most recent of 17 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Petersburg City?
Petersburg City has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 17.0 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 17th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Petersburg City?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $445K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $532K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $316K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Petersburg City compare to other Virginia counties?
Petersburg City ranks #88 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Petersburg City had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Petersburg City since 1972, most often 6 for hurricane events and 3 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. Petersburg City's $5M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.