Pittsylvania County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 64th
Pittsylvania County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 63.8, 64th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and riverine flood exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $17M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Pittsylvania County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 63.8 out of 100 — placing it in the 64th 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.
Risk here concentrates in hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Low risk — $991K in expected annual loss and about 0.08 events per year; riverine flood (rivers and streams overflowing their banks after heavy rain or snowmelt) at Medium risk — $12M in expected annual loss and about 2.29 events per year; and drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $440K in expected annual loss and about 9.81 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $17M in expected annual loss for a population of 61K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pittsylvania County has a very 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: Pittsylvania County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 7 for severe storm events and 7 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Pittsylvania County ranks #19 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Low | 0.08 / yr | $991K |
| Riverine Flood | Medium | 2.29 / yr | $12M |
| Drought | Medium | 9.81 / yr | $440K |
| Landslide | Low | 1.17 / yr | $4K |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 6.79 / yr | $86K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $474K |
| Ice Storm | Medium | 1.81 / yr | $103K |
| Lightning | Medium | 44.02 / yr | $219K |
| Hail | Low | 4.29 / yr | $226K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 2.16 / yr | $298K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $24K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 3.00 / yr | $328K |
| Tornado | Low | 0.26 / yr | $621K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.79 / yr | $394K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $30 |
| 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
Pittsylvania County has received 27 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (7), Hurricane (7), Snowstorm (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 |
| September 2024 | Tropical Storm | Post-Tropical Cyclone Helene |
| May 2021 | Severe Ice Storm | Severe Winter Storms |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 27 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Pittsylvania County?
Pittsylvania County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 63.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 64th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pittsylvania County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Low, $991K EAL), Riverine Flood (Medium, $12M EAL), Drought (Medium, $440K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pittsylvania County compare to other Virginia counties?
Pittsylvania County ranks #19 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pittsylvania County had?
FEMA records 27 federal disaster declarations for Pittsylvania County since 1972, most often 7 for severe storm events and 7 for hurricane 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. Pittsylvania County's $17M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.