Portsmouth City, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 54th
Portsmouth City faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 54.0, 54th national percentile), driven primarily by hurricane and winter weather exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $18M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Portsmouth City is low, with a National Risk Index score of 54.0 out of 100 — placing it in the 54th 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 Medium risk — $5M in expected annual loss and about 0.24 events per year; winter weather (heavy snow, blizzards, and hazardous winter conditions) at Medium risk — $177K in expected annual loss and about 2.81 events per year; and heat wave (prolonged periods of extreme heat that threaten health and infrastructure) at Low risk — $1M in expected annual loss and about 6.12 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $18M in expected annual loss for a population of 98K.
Beyond physical exposure, Portsmouth City has a low 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). A less vulnerable population paired with strong resilience helps the community absorb and recover from events.
The county's disaster history tells the same story: Portsmouth City has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 10 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, Portsmouth City ranks #29 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Hurricane | Medium | 0.24 / yr | $5M |
| Winter Weather | Medium | 2.81 / yr | $177K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 6.12 / yr | $1M |
| Lightning | Medium | 40.84 / yr | $467K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $613K |
| Coastal Flood | Medium | 3.65 / yr | $734K |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.76 / yr | $127K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.14 / yr | $7M |
| Tornado | Low | 0.02 / yr | $1M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 0.47 / yr | $908K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 0.54 / yr | $408K |
| Hail | Low | 1.39 / yr | $168K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $8K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $16 |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.51 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Disaster History
Portsmouth City has received 18 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Hurricane (10), 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 |
| September 2018 | Hurricane | Hurricane Florence |
| November 2016 | Hurricane | Hurricane Matthew |
| October 2012 | Hurricane | Hurricane Sandy |
| September 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| August 2011 | Hurricane | Hurricane Irene |
| December 2009 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Flooding Associated with Tropical Depression Ida and a Nor'east |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
Showing the 10 most recent of 18 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Portsmouth City?
Portsmouth City has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 54.0 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 54th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Portsmouth City?
The three highest-rated hazards are Hurricane (Medium, $5M EAL), Winter Weather (Medium, $177K EAL), Heat Wave (Low, $1M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Portsmouth City compare to other Virginia counties?
Portsmouth City ranks #29 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Portsmouth City had?
FEMA records 18 federal disaster declarations for Portsmouth City since 1972, most often 10 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. Portsmouth City's $18M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.