Radford City, Virginia Natural Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index assessment · VA
Very LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 3th
Radford City faces very low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 2.6, 3th national percentile), driven primarily by earthquake and landslide exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $3M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Risk Overview
Radford City carries a very low composite natural disaster risk, with a National Risk Index score of 2.6 out of 100 — placing it in the 3rd 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 Radford City's expected losses come from earthquake (ground shaking from sudden movement along geologic faults) at Very Low risk — $221K in expected annual loss and about 0.00 events per year; landslide (downhill movement of rock, soil, and debris on unstable slopes) at Very Low risk — $451 in expected annual loss and about 0.02 events per year; and hurricane (tropical cyclones bringing extreme wind, rain, and storm surge) at Very Low risk — $14K in expected annual loss and about 0.01 events per year. Across all hazards, FEMA estimates $3M in expected annual loss for a population of 16K.
Beyond physical exposure, Radford City has a low 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). Both measures sit toward the lower end, indicating relatively modest population sensitivity.
The federal record bears this out: Radford City has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1972, including 4 for snowstorm events and 3 for hurricane events. The most recent was Severe Winter Storm (winter storm), declared in January 2026.
Among 133 Virginia counties, Radford City ranks #128 for overall natural disaster risk.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Earthquake | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $221K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $451 |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.01 / yr | $14K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 3.89 / yr | $389K |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 10.73 / yr | $22K |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.52 / yr | $182K |
| Lightning | Very Low | 43.13 / yr | $49K |
| Riverine Flood | Very Low | 0.39 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Very Low | 3.87 / yr | $30K |
| Tornado | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $50K |
| Ice Storm | Very Low | 0.36 / yr | $4K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $1K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Drought | Very Low | 1.94 / 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
Radford City has received 17 federal disaster declarations since 1972, most recently Severe Winter Storm in January 2026. Most frequent causes: Snowstorm (4), Hurricane (3), Flood (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 |
| July 2012 | Severe Storm | Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds |
| February 2010 | Snowstorm | Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm |
| September 2005 | Hurricane | Hurricane Katrina Evacuation |
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 Radford City?
Radford City has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 2.6 out of 100, placing it in the Very Low category and the 3th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Radford City?
The three highest-rated hazards are Earthquake (Very Low, $221K EAL), Landslide (Very Low, $451 EAL), Hurricane (Very Low, $14K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Radford City compare to other Virginia counties?
Radford City ranks #128 of 133 Virginia counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a very low rating.
How many federally declared disasters has Radford City had?
FEMA records 17 federal disaster declarations for Radford City since 1972, most often 4 for snowstorm events and 3 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. Radford City's $3M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.