Pulaski County, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 46th
Pulaski County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 45.9, 46th national percentile), driven primarily by landslide and drought exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $11M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Overall natural disaster risk in Pulaski County is low, with a National Risk Index score of 45.9 out of 100 — placing it in the 46th 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.
Most of Pulaski County's expected losses come from landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Medium risk — $33K in expected annual loss and about 0.86 events per year; drought (extended dry periods that stress water supplies and agriculture) at Medium risk — $370K in expected annual loss and about 2.28 events per year; and earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Low risk — $549K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $11M in expected annual loss for a population of 34K.
Beyond physical exposure, Pulaski County has a 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.
The federal record bears this out: Pulaski County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 5 for severe storm events and 5 for flood events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Pulaski County ranks #44 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Landslide | Medium | 0.86 / yr | $33K |
| Drought | Medium | 2.28 / yr | $370K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $549K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.50 / yr | $9M |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.90 / yr | $918K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $697 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $68K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 10.48 / yr | $44K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.71 / yr | $369K |
| Lightning | Low | 44.80 / yr | $108K |
| Hail | Very Low | 4.16 / yr | $82K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $9K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.49 / yr | $16K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.05 / yr | $153K |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / 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
Pulaski County has received 22 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Severe Storm (5), Flood (5), Hurricane (4).
| 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 |
| April 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 2020 | Biological | Covid-19 |
| 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 |
Showing the 10 most recent of 22 declarations.
Source: FEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (OpenFEMA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Pulaski County?
Pulaski County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 45.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 46th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Pulaski County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Landslide (Medium, $33K EAL), Drought (Medium, $370K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $549K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Pulaski County compare to other Virginia counties?
Pulaski County ranks #44 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Pulaski County had?
FEMA records 22 federal disaster declarations for Pulaski County since 1972, most often 5 for severe storm events and 5 for flood 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. Pulaski County's $11M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.